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In the framework
of its mandate, MOST closely collaborates since several years with
the APMRN (Asia-Pacific Migration Research Network), the Philipine
Migration Research Network and the Research Network in Africa on
International Migration and Multicultural Policies. By putting much
energy in its networking activities, MOST underlines that networking
is not just a way of making research more efficient, but that it
also directly contributes to the circulation of knowledge and thus
to the development of capacities for future ventures.
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In addition its worldwide
research networks, MOST participates in international meetings and
symposia to fulfill its mandate to offer a brigde between science,
policy and society.
The European
Council, which brings together the Heads of State
or Government of the fifteen Member States of the European Union
and the President of the European Commission, organizes the 7th
Conference of European Ministers on "Migrants
in our societies: which policies for the 21st century?",
16-17 September 2002.
International migration
is also addressed by other Interational and Intergovernmental Organizations
in the context of their existing mandates. The United Nations High
Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)
is the lead agency for matters pertaining to the protection of refugees
(as defined by the 1951 Convention and the 1967 Protocol), and of
asylum seekers. Although perhaps best known for its human rights
perspective, increasingly, UNHCR has also sought to address the
root causes of refugee movements, both in its own work and by encouraging
the collaboration of other bodies.
UNHCR has recently
joined forces with the International Labour Organization (ILO)
and the International Organization for Migration (IOM)
to address the issue of migration, development, and trade. The ILO
has long been concerned with the migration of labor and the employment
of foreigners and has been the focal point for development of a
Convention for the protection of migrant workers. Under its "World
Employment Programme," and through regional activities such as the
"Maghreb Initiative" and the "Asian Migration Project," the Organization
has focussed on job creation in countries of emigration, and the
relationship amongst migration, trade, and development. Currently,
under the "Interdepartmental Project," the ILO is working to improve
data collection and statistics on international migration in twenty-two
countries.
The International
Organization for Migration works closely with UN as well as other
inter-governmental entities. IOM provides for the orderly transfer
of migrants, refugees, displaced persons, and others in need of
international migration services under its "International Migration
Activities," while its "Programmes for the Transfer of Qualified
Human Resources" help developing countries meet the need for highly
skilled manpower. Periodically, IOM also provides a forum for discussion
of migration and development, and the organization is currently
conducting a multi-year cross regional study of emigration pressures,
with support from the United Nations Fund for Population Activities
(UNFPA).
IOM and UNHCR are jointly undertaking information programs (in Albania,
Romania, and shortly in Russia) to inform potential migrants about
the realities of international movement.
The UNFPA has recently
played a major role in bringing attention to the subject of international
migration, notably in the context of the International Conference
on Population and Development held in Cairo in September 1994. The
UNFPA devoted its annual report, The State of the World's Population
1993 to the subject, and, in that document's recommendations, called
upon the international community to "take account of the possible
effects of economic, trade and development cooperation policies
on international migration flows."
While international
migration is currently addressed within a great number of its ongoing
activities, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)
does not consider itself as main actor for the topic at this time.
In April 1993, UNDP's Policy Planning Committee reviewed and approved
a policy strategy document on international migration, which is
serving as a basis for continued internal discussion. UNDP, jointly
with IOM, has co-sponsored a workshop in Buenos Aires on Sustainable
Development and Migration.
The United Nations
Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD),
under its Research and Policy Analysis Branch, has been conducting
studies on foreign direct investment, trade, and international migration,
and a book-length manuscript on the subject is in preparation. UN
Regional Economic Commissions are also engaged with the subject
of international migration.
The United Nations
Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE)
is conducting a four-year project entitled, "International Migration
in the ECE Region"; the effort provides rapid collection and dissemination
of data on East-West migration; collects and analyses data on migration
policies; and studies determinants and consequences of East-West
flows. The heads of the five regional Commissions have decided to
focus on international migration as an area of inter-regional cooperation
over the next 3-4 years. Likely elements for cooperation include
data gathering, research, special initiatives, and policy coordination.
In addition to IOM, other intergovernmental bodies working on international
migration include the European Union (EU),
the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)
and the Council of Europe (COE).
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