On 12-13 October 2011, the International Global Forum on Migration & Development (GFMD) Policy Seminar “Mainstreaming Migration into Strategic Policy Development” was hosted by the Government of the Republic of Moldova and co-chaired by the Governments of Mali, Jamaica and Bangladesh. The event was carried out with the organizational support of the International Organization for Migration (IOM), Mission to Moldova and in close partnership with the Global Migration Group (GMG) under the auspices of the 2011 Swiss GFMD, focusing on how migration undermines development and how it can contribute to development.
 
The meeting provided a platform to forge a common understanding of the concept of mainstreaming migration into development planning among different stakeholders, to promote leveraging of the potential benefits of migration for countries of origin, destination and migrants, as well as to foster a wider dialogue and exchange of experiences on integration of migration into sector-specific strategies and evidence-based policy formulation processes in the areas of employment, health and education. read more

The GMG, through the UNDP and IOM co-chairs of the dedicated Working Group on Mainstreaming Migration in Development Strategies, provided concrete orientations and guidance on pilot implementing the mainstreaming methodology proposed in the GMG Handbook on Mainstreaming Migration into National Development Planning, which was launched at the 2010 GFMD. A further focus was put on data required to ground mainstreaming in evidence, by sharing and discussing countries’ experiences with the implementation of Migration Profiles as a tool for evidence-based policy development at national and regional levels.

The Moldovan Vice-Prime Minister Mr. Mihai Moldovanu mentioned that “…the nexus between migration and development appears as one of the key elements in National Policy Papers, as the migration issues are already included into the National Development Agenda.” 

Thus, during two days the participants discussed concepts and tools of mainstreaming migration into development strategies, how to address the challenges and opportunities of migration as part of the employment, health and education sectors, as well as shared good practices in the coordinated engagement of the UN system, International Organizations and non-governmental actors, such as diaspora communities in migration related development policies.

Mr. Michel Mordasini, Vice Director of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation, appreciated the efforts undertaken by the Government of the Republic of Moldova in the area of migration management and integration of migration into the national agenda, mentioning that “… the results of this two-day dialogue will give more impulse to the international discourse on global migration”.  

The Seminar outcomes will be presented at the GFMD Concluding Debate on 1-2 December 2011 in Geneva and will serve to support Governments at the global level in building the necessary knowledge and capacities regarding the integration of migration into development agendas in order to maximize the benefits and minimize the risks of migration. Results and recommendations will feed into the 2012 GFMD and the 2013 UN General Assembly High-level Dialogue on International Migration and Development.

The event gathered Government officials from more than 10 countries from four continents, such as: Mali, Bangladesh, Jamaica, Thailand, Ghana, Philippines, Ecuador, Sierra Leone, Vietnam, etc. In addition, the representatives of international organizations, civil society and non-governmental actors were also invited to share their expertise.

The Seminar was organized under the auspices of the Swiss GFMD Chair-in-office by the Government of the Republic of Moldova in cooperation with the IOM Mission to Moldova, with the financial support from the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) and the “Supporting the implementation of the migration and development component of the EU-Moldova Mobility Partnership” project implemented by the IOM Moldova and funded by the European Union.

Contact person: Mr. Silas Rapold, e-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ; tel: + 373 22 23 29 40/41.

To view the photo gallery, please follow: http://www.iom.md/index.php/en/media-center/photo-gallery/view/21