Global Forum on Migration and Development

Today is the last day of the first meeting of the Global Forum on Migration and Development.  The Forum, which was proposed by UN Secretary General Annan, marks the "start of a new global process designed to enhance the positive impact of migration on development (and vice versa) by adopting a more consistent policy approach, identifying new instruments and best practices, exchanging know-how and experience about innovative tactics and methods and, finally, establishing cooperative links between the various actors involved."   As we highlight in our book, Stepping Out of the Brain Drain, the potential for migration to assist in development of poorer countries is huge and yet little attention has been paid to the topic.  The Forum, which was attended by representatives of over 150 countries, is a good first step.