Migration and development in Europe and in other regions of the world are more closely linked than commonly believed, shows a new publication launched today by Caritas Europa. This innovative publication puts forward 27 specific recommendations to EU policy-makers and was launched with a panel discussion at the European Parliament.
“Common Home: migration and development in Europe and beyond” is based on the findings, testimonies and good practices of “11 Common Home national studies” covering Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Germany (Bavaria), Italy, Netherlands, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, and Sweden, and on the analysis of European and international statistical databases and literature.
This publication aims at promoting a more balanced and evidence-based debate at a time when migration has become a deeply contentious issue in Europe. Particularly, it raises awareness about the positive aspects that migration can have at the global level, and its relation with sustainable international cooperation.
‘In Caritas’ view, under the right conditions, migration can contribute to the integral human development of migrants and of members of both countries of destination and countries of origin,’ has said Maria Nyman, Caritas Europa Secretary General, about the publication.
The recommendations to policy-makers are grouped under three main points:
- Change the negative discourse on migration, counter rising hostility and harmful attitudes toward migrants and migration.
- Maximise the development potential of migration and enhance migrants’ integral human development in countries of destination.
- Maximise the development potential of migration, enhance opportunities for migrants to be able to contribute in countries of origin, and ensure a virtuous circle between migrations and development.
On development issues, this publication finds that European institutions should place respect for human rights at the core of all partnerships with third countries and ensure that their external policies and do not harm existing development opportunities in developing countries such as, for example, regional mobility across Africa. Agenda 2030, the Global Compact on Migration, existing Policy Coherence frameworks as well as innovative project on labour migration should also be sources for providing promising tools to advocate for these actions.
The Common Home European report was launched today with a panel discussion at the European Parliament. The event was co-hosted by MEP Juan Fernando López Aguilar (Socialists and Democrats, Spain), LIBE Committee Chair and MEP Erik Marquardt (Greens, Germany), DEVE Committee Vice-Chair.
To present the views from the Global South, Samuel Zan Akologo, Executive Secretary at Caritas Ghana joined the panel. Anna Knoll, Head of Migration Programme at European Centre for Development Policy Management (ECDPM) presented the state of play on migration and development policies. The views of the European Commission (DG DEVCO) were presented by Camilla Hagstrom, Deputy Head of Unit (Unit B3, Migration and Employment). The findings of the Common Home European publication were presented by Davide Gnes, Advocacy and Policy Officer, and the panel discussion was moderated by Shannon Pfohman, Advocacy Director at Caritas Europa.
