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Special policies for migration and development must be created — IOM chief
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Nov 2, 2008 - 5:13:52 AM

MANILA, Nov. 3 (PNA) -- Realizing that migration and development is closely linked with one another, International Organization for Migration (IOM) director general William Lacy Swing said that special policies must be made to further boost the positive potential of migration and development.

Lacy Swing, in his speech to the recently concluded 2nd Global Forum on Migration and Development (GFMD) in Manila, said all countries in the world “should work towards policies that are carefully shaped to boost the positive potential of migration for development, while reducing negative repercussions.”

He made this comment after noting that “migration is neither categorically an obstacle to development, nor it is the magic wand for its achievement.”

”While awareness of the connection between migration and development is growing, most strategic development frameworks, including the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and most government development policies, such as national poverty reduction strategy papers (PRSPs), still do not systematically integrate migration considerations,” Lacy Swing added.

He also stated that successfully addressing the positive potential of migration requires a comprehensive approach.

”This means taking into account linkages not only between migration and development but also with other critical areas. Positive steps must be taken into this direction. For example, the complex relationship between migration, development and trade is increasingly making its way towards the debate,” the IOM director general further stated.