Breakfast Briefing: 8:30 AM, Friday, September 26, 2003

Guest: Gervais Appave, IOM
Moderator: Alex Aleinikoff

Alex Aleinikoff, Senior Associate at MPI, introduced Mr. Gervais Appave, director of the Migration Policy and Research Program at the International Organization for Migration. Mr. Appave outlined the contents of IOM's new publication, "World Migration 2003." The book, said Mr. Appave, is a reference guide for migration issues, and is intended to be a starting point for the exchange of information and ideas between policymakers. The volume consists of two parts. The first is thematic, and deals with broader topics and policies. The second contains regional descriptions and analysis of migration issues in different parts of the world.

Mr. Appave began with a broad overview of the regional descriptions. He described Western Europe as focusing primarily on its own efforts in migration management and asylum issues. However, Western European trends strongly inform Eastern and Central European policy. Asian nations are concerned with the treatment of their workers abroad, managing labor flows out of their countries, and the constructive use of remittances sent home by émigrés. In Africa, national borders create a unique set of migration challenges because different ethnic groups often overlap several countries. Continued wars and civil strife make forced migration a critical issue for Africa, with the issue of internally displaced person (IDPs) particularly pressing.

Mr. Appave described several of the cross-regional themes covered in "World Migration 2003." The volume discusses the administrative and economic realities of migration, as well as the problems of "irregular migration" and human trafficking. Economically, for example, the official amount of remittances sent back to countries of origin is estimated to be about $75 billion. This official figure likely understates by a large factor the actual amount that émigrés send back and this financial inflow sustains many third world economies.

According to Mr. Appave, the IOM treats migration as a transnational issue, and believes governments cannot manage it individually. After September 11, many governments realized the importance of managing immigration, as opposed to maintaining a laissez-faire approach. Security has emerged as a much more central issue in the planning of immigration policies. One goal IOM would like to accomplish would be to change the general perception of migration as a negative phenomenon. They want to redefine migration as, first and foremost, a reality, and as a positive part of modern and globalized society.

Q&A Session

How does IOM see itself and its role worldwide?

Many international organizations today face a common challenge, in that their role has evolved from what it once was. IOM initially functioned as a service provider for governments. The changing nature of the various governments' requests have driven IOM in new directions, and specifically towards discussions on immigration policy.

How does international trade, with its elaborate set of agreements, overlap with international migration movements, and where do you see this going in the long term?

This is very complicated and difficult question, because the liberalization of migration differs from that of trade in two fundamental ways. First, people bring with them their own values and cultures, which can change the nature of the host society and affect its "national identity." Secondly, people have human rights, and so cannot be exchanged solely as units of economic production. Any changes in this area will be made slowly. However, there is huge economic potential in the movement of people. According to one estimate, a modest increase in the movement of workers would yield over 100 billion dollars in economic gains worldwide per year.

September 11 has been viewed by the American administration as an opportunity to limit immigration. Is this true worldwide as well?

Before September 11, the European trend was towards the relaxation of immigration controls. This movement now faces increased resistance. Immigration has always been an important electoral issue, and security concerns make it even more of a challenge for governments. Alex Aleinikoff noted that legal immigration to the US has actually increased since September 11. However, specific nationalities of immigrants and visitors have faced increased scrutiny and targeted enforcement activities.

Does IOM provide data on the urban as opposed to national level, since immigrants tend to cluster in certain cities?

IOM does not have good data on that, although it is definitely a topic of interest. In compiling this report, we focused more on collecting data from the relevant countries, rather than compiling data ourselves. Good data does exist for certain urban centers, such as New York City.

Does the report address trafficking?

Yes, although trends are very difficult to determine due to lack of data. IOM does have a good database, but only on persons who have been trafficked to Europe and then back to their countries of origin with IOM's assistance. Mr. Appave's impressions are that there has been a steady increase in trafficking, and in particular a shift to people being trafficked through South Eastern Europe and North Africa.

Does IOM examine the movement of skilled professionals and the constant movement of personnel?

There exists today an "executive migration world," which includes almost every country except North Korea, in which professionals of a certain caliber are free to move. Good figures do exist on this, particularly with the OECD. IOM has been asked to calculate the economic impact of these movements, but this is very difficult.

How are IDPs in Africa addressed in the report?

The main effort with IDPs hinges on the implementation of the guidelines established several years ago. The challenge is one of resources, and the assistance of the international community.

How does the report treat the issue of refugees?

The report devotes a whole chapter to refugees, although it makes no recommendations since that falls under the responsibilities of UNHCR. The report does discuss the interface of refugee and migration issues.

At the recent meeting in Geneva, governments seemed truly concerned about how to manage immigration properly. How is IOM assisting in these efforts?

Mr. Appave said that this meeting was really the first attempt that had been made to address these questions from the ground up. IOM would like to participate more in this kind of work, and the Migration Policy and Research Program's goals are particularly oriented toward supporting this type of effort.

Does the use of the term "management" when speaking of immigration imply the restriction of migration?

Mr. Appave clarified that he did not intend for his use of the word "management" to be understood in any sort of repressive manner. Management, in the sense it is used in the IOM report, refers to the creation of better policies that makes migration a more positive phenomenon for migrants and sending and receiving societies alike.