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Migration Dynamics in West Africa
Launching of a two-year programme funded by the European Commission
The SWAC concluded a partnership agreement with the Research Institute for Development (IRD), the Cheikh Anta Diop University of Dakar (UCAD) and the Center for Research in Ethnic Relations at the University of Warwick (UK). The programme’s objectives are to:
- Develop an online database on West African migration;
- Produce statistical analysis, mapping studies and a feasibility study for the setting up of a regional observatory on migration; and
- Provide ECOWAS with the produced data, analysis and other relevant information to facilitate the implementation process of the ECOWAS joint approach on migration.
Launching of a strategic thinking process on a regional approach to address West African migration issues
West African countries are negotiating and implementing bilateral agreements with European countries. How could a regional approach be useful for them? With the financial support of the French Ministry for Co-operation, the SWAC will facilitate debates within a West African strategic thinking group to address this issue. It will focus on:
- Analysing and documenting the implementation prospects of a West African regional approach to migratory issues based on the common approach developed within ECOWAS;
- Broadening the debate on the regional approach on migration to non-institutional actors; and
- Contributing to the preparation of the second Ministerial Euro-African Conference on Migration and Development to be held in for October 2008 in France.
Review of international migration policies
This work will be complemented by a review of international migration policies currently in force in major host countries of sub-Saharan African migrants and bilateral or regional mobility agreements (free movement of people within the ECOWAS zone, AU and ECOWAS policies, Senegal River Development Agency (OMVS), etc.). This project is funded by the Italian Co-operation Agency.
Contact: marie.tremolieres@oecd.org
Border Co-operation: Niger-Nigeria
Launching of two feasibility studies in the Kano-Katsina-Maradi (K²M) area
The Katsina Workshop held in September 2007 (Nigeria) validated the setting-up of three information platforms on cross-border activities: (i) Information on food crop markets, (ii) Information on cross-border movement of cereals and livestock, and (iii) Information on capital transfer between the two countries. Two feasibility studies will be launched in January/February 2008 with a view towards implementing this initiative. The first feasibility study proposes a two-year project focusing on operationalising the dialogue platforms, in consultation with involved actors in the K2M area as well as local and national authorities, and identifying concrete activities to be launched within the framework of this initiative. The second study defines the modalities for setting-up a cross-border radio station network aiming to facilitate local dissemination of information on cross-border trade of cereals and livestock, exchange rates, food security issues, citizen rights and responsibilities with a view to the free movement of people, goods and capital and other relevant information. The outcomes of these studies will be published by the end of the first semester of 2008. The Delegation of the European Commission in Niger has expressed its willingness to fund these two studies.
Contact: philipp.heinrigs@oecd.org
African Union Border Programme
Djibouti, 1-2 December 2007
The Conference of African Ministers in charge of Border Issues, held in Addis Ababa in June 2007, defined the modalities for the implementation of the African Union Border Programme. Within the framework of the follow-up meeting organised in Djibouti, invited experts validated proposals for action that could be undertaken in order to achieve the Programme’s objectives. In particular, the AU Border Programme aims to actively promote local cross-border co-operation initiatives as a tool for accelerating regional integration processes. The SWAC participated as a member of the restricted Committee in this process.
> read the information note (French)
Policy Coherence in West African Fisheries
Dakar (Senegal), 11-12 December 2007
The OECD Fisheries Policy Division and the SWAC in partnership with Enda Diapol/REPAO conducted a joint analysis on policy coherence in fishery development policies in CSRP (Sub-Regional Fishery Commission) countries in West Africa in 2007. A two-day regional workshop, organised by Enda Diapol/REPAO, the SWAC, CSRP and WWF entitled « Fishing for coherence in West Africa », presented to regional stakeholders the findings of this analysis. Discussions focused on three key areas of policy coherence: (i) harmonisation of conditions for access to fisheries resources; (ii) illegal, unregulated and unrecorded fishing; and (iii) coherence between economic agreements and fisheries agreements. The meeting brought together about 50 participants including some key partners from OECD countries (the European Commission, the Netherlands, US NOAA and US Navy, the World Bank). The outcomes of the workshop included the development of indicators designed to help stakeholders monitor policy coherence in these three areas and facilitate information-sharing as well as the establishment of a regional taskforce to follow-up the workshop recommendations.
Contacts: jean.zoundi@oecd.org and saraminard@hotmail.com
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