General Programme 2012

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Policy Analysis and Research Programm

1. Objectives

The GCIM Secretariat’s programme of policy analysis is intended to make a substantive contribution to the contemporary discourse on international migration, and, more specifically, to assist the Commission in the development of evidence-based and actionable policy options that can be presented in the GCIM’s final report. In this respect, the Secretariat’s policy analysis and research programme complements and supports other GCIM activities, including Commission-only meetings, Regional Hearings and stakeholder consultations.

2. Principles

The GCIM policy analysis and research programme is based on a number of principles.

First, the programme focuses on those issues which are most closely related to the GCIM mandate and those problem areas which have been prioritized for detailed consideration by the Commission.

Second, the programme makes full use of existing knowledge and resources and will not seek to replicate analysis and research that has been undertaken or that is already in process elsewhere. At the same time, it will seek to identify gaps in current knowledge and encourage research in those areas.

Third, the programme seeks to be multinational in character, involving individuals and institutions in from different parts of the world. The programme also seeks to engage with the new generation of analysts who are working in this area, as well as established experts in the field of international migration.

3. Activities

The GCIM Secretariat’s policy analysis programme consists of three principal activities: (a) a series of thematic projects; (b) a series of regional studies; and (c) a series of working papers. Details of these activities are provided in the following pages of this document.

A. Thematic policy analysis projects

The GCIM Secretariat’s policy analysis programme includes eight globally-focused and gender-sensitive projects, each of which:

• examines a specific cluster of issues, problems and dilemmas in the field of international migration; and,
• evaluates existing policies and provides an assessment of alternative policy options in relation to those issues, problems and dilemmas.

The primary purpose of these projects is to generate analysis, ideas, policy options and policy proposals that can be considered by the Commission and which can subsequently be utilised in the preparation of the GCIM’s final report.

It is recognized that a degree of overlap exists between the eight thematic policy analysis projects, and that certain issues may therefore be addressed by more than one of these projects.

These projects will not involve primary research or field work, but will draw and build upon existing documentation (both academic and non-academic) in the areas under review.

It should be noted that while the GCIM is addressing issues associated with the ‘migration-asylum nexus’, it is not concerned with issues related to large-scale refugee movements and populations. Nor will the Commission be addressing the issues of internal migration and internal displacement.

A number of different individuals and institutions are contributing to each project, including GCIM Secretariat staff; external experts and selected staff members from relevant international organizations.

Members of the Commission are being approached to comment on the terms of reference for these projects. Commissioners may also contribute directly to the substance of these projects if they so wish.

The pages that follow present the substantive terms of reference for each of the GCIM’s thematic policy analysis projects and for the expert papers that will be commissioned in relation to these projects. The technical terms of reference are available as a separate document.

 

Thematic project 1:
Migrants in the global labour market

This Project:

• examines current and projected trends in the supply of, and demand for, migrant labour of different types, levels of skill and gender;
• analyzes the variables that seem most likely to influence such trends, including, for example:

(a) demographic trends
(b) the role of women in the labour market
(c) the trade, aid and investment policies pursued by states and the private sector
(d) changing technology
(e) the role of the informal sector

• on the basis of the preceding analysis, provides a review of the global and regional labour market and migration scenarios that are likely to emerge in the years to come;
• identifies the principal challenges and dilemmas associated with these scenarios;
• provides a review of the policy options that are available to states and other stakeholders in addressing these challenges and dilemmas, including:

(a) bilateral migration agreements
(b) common labour market agreements
(c) GATS Mode 4
(d) temporary labour migration programmes

 

Thematic project 2:
International migration, economic growth, development and poverty reduction

This Project:

• assesses the impact of international migration on economic growth in the world’s more prosperous regions;
•  assesses the impact of international migration on development and poverty reduction in poorer regions of the world;
• examines ways in which the contribution of international migration to economic growth in countries of destination might be maximised;
• examines ways in which the positive impact of international migration in countries and regions of origin might be maximized, focusing specifically on policies relating to:

(a) migrant remittances
(b) migrant investment
(c) migrant pension rights
(d) the role of diaspora populations
(e) brain drain, brain gain and brain circulation
(f) return migration
analyses the relationship between international migration and the Millennium Development Goals;
examines the potential for enhanced dialogue and collaboration between countries of origin and destination in the context of development cooperation and technical assistance.

 

Thematic project 3:
Irregular migration, state security and human security

This Project:

• examines the use and adequacy of terms such as ‘irregular migrants/migration’, ‘illegal migrants/migration, ‘undocumented migrants/migration’ and ‘unauthorised migrants/migration’, and examines the potential for consistent and/or alternative terminology to be used in relation to the different phenomena commonly described in this manner;
• provides a brief overview of recent global trends in relation to irregular migration;
• examines the ways in which and the extent to which irregular migration constitutes a real or perceived threat to state security and sovereignty;
• provides an assessment of state policy and practice in relation to control of irregular migration, focusing on:

(a) the impact and effectiveness of state policy and practice on levels, forms, directions, the organization and duration of irregular migration; and,
(b) the impact of state policy and practice on the human security and rights of irregular migrants, including asylum seekers and smuggled migrants;

 

• assesses the contribution that other actors have made to the development of effective and equitable policies in this area, including regional bodies, international and non-governmental organisations;
• examines existing policies and practices concerning the return of non-authorised migrants, including the responsibility of states readmit their nationals and other arrangements related to readmission; and,
• explores alternative policy approaches to the issue of irregular migration and the migration-asylum nexus, including the opening of legal migration channels, secondary movements and protection and processing in regions of origin.

 

Thematic project 4:
Migrants in society: diversity and cohesion

This Project:

• identifies the principal policy challenges relating to the social and cultural dimensions of international migration;
• explores the impact of international migration, in its different forms, on host societies and culture, using a global, regional and gender-sensitive focus;
• analyses the different ways in which states, other institutional actors and migrants themselves are approaching the social and cultural dimensions of international migration, including policies and practices related to assimilation, integration (and non-integration), multiculturalism, transnationalism and citizenship;
• explores the potential tension that exists between social diversity on one hand, and social cohesion on the other, identifying lessons learned and good practice in relation to these issues and their applicability across different regions; and,
• examines the impact of transnational social networks, family reunion and domestic integration policies on the size, direction, duration and organization of migratory movements, and explores the implications of such linkages for future migration policy.

 

Thematic project 5:
International migration and human rights

This Project:

• identifies the different ways in which the issues of international migration and human rights intersect, focusing on topics such as irregular or ‘illegal’ migration; the use of new technologies in monitoring human movements; human trafficking; labour standards; access to judicial systems; racism and xenophobia; and the special circumstances of migrant women and children;
• examines the obligations of migrants vis-à-vis their host country and society;
• assesses the adequacy of current international, regional and national responses to these and other human rights dimensions of international migration, including issues associated with the limited ratification of the 1990 Migrant Workers Convention, and issues related to the gathering and analysis of information related to migrant rights ;
• considers the way that other international human rights instruments and mechanisms (including the Convention on the Rights of the Child and the work of Special Rapporteurs) could be employed more effectively in relation to the situation, rights and obligations of migrants;
• assesses the extent to which financial, material, human resource and other capacity constraints are negatively impacting upon the ability of states and other actors to protect migrants rights;
• identifies ways in which migrant rights might be strengthened, drawing upon examples of good practice and focusing on the role and responsibility of different actors, including countries of origin and destination, international and non-governmental organizations; civil society institutions and the media.

 

Thematic project 6:
International migration and health

This Project:

• identifies the main policy issues associated with the health and well-being of international migrants, whether they are in transit, in destination countries or upon return to their country of origin;
• examines ways in which the health of both temporary and long-term migrants in destination countries might be improved, focusing on issues such as access to health care systems, improved workplace conditions and health education;
• provides an assessment of the social and mental health costs of international migration, both upon migrants and upon their families and communities;
• explores the relationship between international migration and the spread and control of infectious diseases, including HIV/AIDS and focusing on lessons learned and examples of good practice in relation to this issue; and,
• reviews the current debate concerning the migration of health personnel, assessing the different policy options that have been proposed to address the negative consequences of such migration.

 

Thematic project 7:
The legal and normative framework of international migration

This Project:

• assesses the adequacy of the international legal and normative framework relating to international migration, highlighting areas where clear norms are lacking;
• analyses the reluctance by many states to consider additional legal and otherwise binding international obligations, and/or to ratify relevant international treaties;
• examines the different inducements that can be employed to ensure ratification and implementation of existing regional and international legal instruments, drawing upon examples of good practice from different regions;
• examines other policy options relating to the application of relevant international migration law, such as the development of good legal practices, or a code of conduct, based on the existing international legal framework; and,
• explores the ways in which the normative and legal dimension of governance interacts with the issue of processes, mechanisms and institutions, as examined in thematic project no. 8.

 

Thematic project 8:
The governance of international migration: processes, mechanisms and institutions

This Project:

• explores the concept of international governance and critically examines the specific ways in which the concept of governance has been applied in relation to international migration, including regional migration processes and other forms of regional inter-state dialogue and co-operation;
• analyses the value of global processes, including the potential implications of the Berne Initiative’s ‘International Agenda for Migration Management‘ aimed at establishing a framework of common understandings and best practices in relation to inter-state co-operation;
• examines the value of other global migration policy fora, including, for example, the Hague Declaration/Club of the Hague; IOM’s migration policy dialogue; the UN General Assembly and related fora; the International Labour Conference (including the recent ILO proposal for a ‘non-binding multilateral framework for the management of labour migration’); UNHCR’s Executive Committee and Convention plus initiative;
• critically assesses recent proposals made by different individuals and institutions for the strengthening of multilateral governance in relation to international migration (including, for example, the notion of a ‘World Migration Organization’), based on a realistic evaluation of the political viability, risks, cost and potential impact of such proposals;
• presents alternative policy options in relation to multilateral governance of international migration, drawing upon lessons learned from other policy domains (e.g. the environment, WTO, etc.), including a realistic assessment of the political viability, cost and potential impact of such policy options;
• examines other ways in which multilateral governance of international migration might usefully be enhanced, and
• explores the way in which the issue of processes, mechanisms and institutions interacts with the legal and normative dimension of international migration, as examined in project no. 7.

 

B. Regional studies

To complement the thematic projects described above, GCIM will commission a number of papers focusing on particular regions and sub-regions. To the extent possible, these papers will be commissioned from or involve individuals and institutions located in the regions concerned.

Up to eight studies are envisaged in total, covering the following regions. It is recognized that there may be a degree of overlap between the specified regions.

• Southern Africa;
• West Africa;
• The Americas (North, South, Central and Caribbean);
• East Asia, the Pacific and Australia;
• South and South-West Asia;
• the Mediterranean and Middle East;
• the European Union (including new accession states);
• the former Soviet Union;

The pages that follow present the generic and substantive terms of reference for the GCIM’s regional studies. The technical terms of reference for these studies are available as a separate document.

The regional studies are expected to be analytical and evaluative in nature, and are not expected to provide large amounts of empirical data or descriptive detail.

More specifically, each of these regional studies will:

• provide a brief overview of key migration trends in the region under review;
• identify and analyze specific problems, dilemmas and policy issues that have arisen in relation to these trends;
• examine and evaluate the responses of states and other stakeholders to these problems, dilemmas and policy issues, focusing particularly on the effectiveness and impact of multilateral initiatives, regional migration processes and other forms of governance;
• summarize the lessons that can be learned from recent experience of migration policy formulation and implementation in each region, focusing particularly on lessons learned and examples of good practice that might be replicated in other geographical contexts.

In structuring their analysis, authors of the regional studies will adopt a gender-sensitive approach and take due account of the thematic issues which are of particular interest to GCIM, and which are examined in more detail in preceding pages of this document:

• migrants in the global labour market;
• migration, economic growth, development and poverty reduction;
• irregular migration, state security and human security;
• migrants in society: diversity and cohesion:
• international migration and human rights.
• international migration and health.
• the legal and normative framework of international migration; and,
• the governance of international migration: processes, mechanisms and institutions.

It should be noted that while the GCIM is addressing issues associated with the ‘migration-asylum nexus’, it is not concerned with issues related to large-scale refugee movements and populations. Nor will the Commission be addressing the issues of internal migration and internal displacement.

C. “Global Migration Perspectives”

The third of the Secretariat’s policy analysis and research activities is the publication of a series of papers titled ‘Global Migration Perspectives’, which is intended to contribute to the current discourse on migration-related issues. It will also provide inputs for the Commission and its final report.

All analysts and researchers working in the area of international migration, especially younger scholars and those based in developing countries, are invited to submit contributions to the series. Particular emphasis will be placed on the speedy publication of papers that bring creative and policy-oriented perspectives to any aspect of international migration. The series will be edited and produced by the Secretariat.

Papers in the series Global Migration Perspectives will be made freely available on the GCIM website. A limited number of hard copies will also be produced.

Human Rights, Citizenship and the Migrant Representations in Texts

In this article, a section is devoted to a look at a sympathetic media to the migrant’s human rights, with reference to two distinct periods: in the first block, the material dates from 1995 to 1997 – focussing on certain texts, debates in the North American congress and the media, run in a monthly publication – Migration News – which monitors policies and actions related to international migration in different countries.  In the second block, the reference is various notes and articles run between 2003 and 2004 by the network on migration NIEM[1], on the internet, which allow for an overview of the most important texts in the international media on the subject of migration.

Preceding the analysis of the media, are brief references to the representation of the migrant in literature, in order to illustrate the plasticity of the issue and, as announced at the start of the text, as the foreigner is an “other” represented by “others”, exemplified through a range of references.

At the end a debate is presented on the concept of strangeness, questioning the frontiers between “us”, the natives, and the “others” and how the State use such differences to scape its responsibilities with all.

 

[1] NIEM-Migratory Studies Interdisciplinary Nucleus of the University of Rio de Janeiro (UERJ)