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Thursday, 17 November 2011

08:30 - 18:30

Riggs library, Georgetown University

37th and O St., N.W. Washington, DC.

Background

See full programme here.

Programme

Opening remarks

- Susan Martin, ISIM, Georgetown University - Milena Novy-Marx, John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation - Carlos Alvarez, OECD Development Centre

Session 1: Launch of the book

This initial session set the stage for the conference by presenting the OECD Development Centre's latest book entitled "Tackling the Policy Challenges of Migration: Regulation, Integration, Development". The book's three core subjects, regulation, integration and development, were presented and formed the basis for each of the next three panels. Emphasis was placed on the policy implications and the next steps to move the agenda forward. It proposed a comprehensive policy framework internalising the interdependence of national policies on migration and relying on strategic partnerships.

Session 2: Global governance and the regulation of migration flows

The current global governance of migration is in gridlock, confronting poorer sending countries and richer receiving countries. This session aimed at discussing the reasons for the gridlock while debating short and long-term solutions, from all viewpoints. It discussed compensation mechanisms, anti-immigrant sentiment and the feasibility that an international body can solve these problems.

Session 3: Immigrant integration in the South

As many fast-growing countries in the South economically converge towards the world's richer countries, they also increasingly face many new challenges that accompany wealth and stability, such as immigration. Many countries in the South are now focusing on controlling their borders, while neglecting immigrant integration policy. This session aimed at debating immigrant integration in countries in the South. It notably focused on the types of migrants and the challenges particularly associated with integration in the South and whether policies can be put in place to mitigate rising xenophobia, violence and ghettoisation.

Session 4: Emigration, labour markets and development

Over the last 10 years, migration policy has slowly shifted towards leveraging the potential for development in the home country. Most migration and development policies focus on the poverty-reducing capacity of remittances and the cost of sending them from host countries. This session focused on development in the home country through changes in the labour market and employment opportunities generated from migration. Policies limiting the negative effect of lost labour and fostering the positive effect of remitted financial, social and human capital on labour will be debated.

Concluding remarks

- Lindsay Lowell, ISIM, Georgetown University

- David Khoudour-Castéras, OECD Development Centre

Additional information

For more information, please contact DEV.Migration@oecd.org.