Highlights

Context & Rationale

At the present time, issues related to flows and movements of people – in all their forms – figure prominently among the most pressing, relevant and, often, divisive policy agendas in the Mediterranean region.

A comprehensive approach to migration is needed, taking into account its root causes as well as all related challenges and opportunities.

From this perspective, the World Bank & the Center for Mediterranean Integration (CMI) are collaborating to draft a flagship report on “Migration and Human Capital Mobility” which will be presented at the World Bank’s 2021 Annual Meetings in Marrakech, Morocco.

The report aims to cover a broad range of migration and mobility-related issues, in connection with their main drivers  which fall under three levels: (a) macro (economic, social, demographic, political factors); micro (human capital, labor markets, natural capital, territorial triggers); and (c) meso (laws and regulations, bilateral agreements, diaspora, remittances). In addition, climate change is being considered as an “aggravating factor” which affects all three levels, and a pressing reality in the region.

The brainstorming workshop represented the first milestone in this process.

Outcomes

The primary purpose of this event was to identify thematic and innovative approaches to address some of the most pertinent and transversal issues in advancing the migration agenda in the Euro-Mediterranean region. The ideas gathered during the workshop are now being used to conceptualize the flagship. 

A new positive narrative is emerging, focused on how regularized migration and human capital mobility can contribute to the development of the region while reducing the cost associated with irregular flows. 

Proactive migration policies that internalize all interrelated macro, micro and meso factors, must be conceived as an integral part of any development strategy, in order to be effective. 

Policy makers may have more leverage in focusing on education and labor market laws and regulations, as well as agreements between countries, while addressing remittances and financial transfers issues (the meso factors). In lieu of such proactive migration policies, given income and demographic disparities across both shores of the Mediterranean, irregular flows may continue to create tension and safety issues for both migrants and recipient countries. 

At the same time, not tapping on the tremendous opportunities that human capital mobility offers for the development of the region would further delay its integration and catch up with the rest of the world.       

Participants

The meeting brought together internationally-recognized experts from across the region (see attached), as well as senior World Bank staff with operational experience on the subject/in this area. It was chaired by Mr. Rabah Arezki, Chief Economist for the Middle East and North Africa Region at the World Bank.

Video

Few Words on the Summit

Photos can be found on our Flickr account. 

Resources

• Concept Note 
   
• Participant List
   
• Agenda
   
• Jean-Christophe DUMONT, Head, International Migration, Employment, Labour and Social Affairs, OECD
  Recent Emigration trends from Mediterranean countries to the OECD area
   
• Roumeen ISLAM, Economic Adviser, Europe & Central Asia Regional Office, World Bank
  Migration and Brain Drain
   
• Philippe FARGUES, Professor, Robert Schuman Centre of the European University Institute
  Integrating migrants for integrating regions - Shared challenges around the Mediterranean
   
• Ashok SWAIN, Professor of Peace and Conflict Research, Uppsala University, Sweden
  Political instability and conflict-driven migration
   
• El Mouhoub MOUHOUD, Professor of Economics, Paris Dauphine University
  Political Economy of the MENA regime of Emigration: An increasing mismatch with the EU regimes of immigration

• Çağlar ÖZDEN, Lead Economist, Development Economics and Chief Economist Office, World Bank
  Moving for Prosperity
   
• Marzia RANGO, Research and Data Officer, Global Migration Data Analysis Centre, International Organization for Migration
  Children and youth on the move: Risks, vulnerabilities and data challenges
   
• Ellen HAMILTON, Lead Urban Specialist, Urban MNA, World Bank
  Rural Migrants to Urban Areas
   
• Dilip RATHA, Lead Economist, Migration and Remittances and Head of Global Knowledge Partnership on Migration and Development (KNOMAD), World Bank
  Leveraging economic migration for development
   
• Anna BJÖRNERMARK, Associate Director, Gender and Economic Inclusion, European Bank for Reconstruction and Development
  Leveraging the private sector to address migration challenges and harness opportunities
   
• Reza RAHNEMA, Chief Operating Officer, NaTakallam
  Opportunities from the Start-up World: a Disruptive Mindset
   
• Carl DAHLMAN, Senior Policy Advisor, Growth Dialogue
  Toward Smarter Mobility and Integrated Labor Markets in Northern and Southern Mediterranean Countries
   
• Furio C. ROSATI, Director, Italian Center for International Development, ICID, University of Rome « Tor Vergata »
  Rethinking Mobility

Photos