STEP OUT Migration

Situation Worsens for Christians in Iraq

After thousands of years of practicing their religion in Iraq, the Chaldean Christian community is nearing extinction in this war-torn country.  A recent article titled The Destruction of Iraq's Christians, written by a journalist based out of Beirut, explores this tragedy in greater detail.  In it, the author describes how Christians are more than just innocent bystanders caught in the cross-hairs of sectarian violence, but rather, are specifically targeted by gunmen for both their religious identity and their perceived wealth.  Some estimates indicate the Christian population in Iraq is half of what it was before the 2003 U.S. invasion.  Christian women are especially vulnerable, as "theological justifications for the rape of non-Muslim women and their forcible betrothal to Muslims are widespread."

Tragically, the situation for Christians in Iraq may only grow worse.

Refugees in Lebanon

Refugees from all over the world share similar experiences of persecution, hardship, and abandonment.  In Lebanon, the story is much the same.  The Frontiers Ruwad Association, a non-profit organization based in Beirut that promotes the human rights of refugees and other migrants in Lebanon, recently released a letter condemning the Lebanese government and police force for their targeting of Iraqi refugees.  Specifically, it appears that the police force is violating international law by arresting and sometimes deporting Iraqi refugees who the UNHCR recognizes as refugees and who hold Refugee Status Certificate.

You may also be interested in the organization's 2007 Annual Report, which highlights the plight of Iraqi, Palestinian, and other refugees languishing in Lebanon.

Iraqi Refugees

The plight of Iraqi refugees has long been a forgotten humanitarian crisis, spanning back to the first Gulf War and before.  Tragically, however, the sheer volume of these refugees has increased significantly since the 2003 U.S. invasion and the subsequent violence that ensued.  Mainstream media is starting to pick up on this growing problem, but there still needs to be more awareness and more action. 

Here are some of the articles that have been published over the last few months.  Some deal with how the massive influx of refugees have affected neighboring countries like Syria and Jordan.  These refugees have scant access to necessary medical treatment.  Some desperate Iraqi women have even turned to prostitution, especially stigmatic in Muslim countries, in order to make enough money to feed their families.  Clearly, more needs to be done to help these Iraqi refugees.

Mexican Migration and U.S. Agriculture

Here's a good article on the migration of Mexican farmworkers into the United States.  NAFTA and IRCA, it seems, increased Mexican migration, while the effects of increased border enforcement are mixed, with fewer entries into the U.S. counter-balanced by fewer returns to Mexico.

Civil Society and Global Forum

Here is the report from the civil society's on-line discussion in preparation for the Global Forum on Migration and Development.  Take a look. 

Ethiopian diaspora helps sending country development

As we explain in our new book, the Internet has made it possible for migrants to assist with the economic development of their home countries in ways that were not possible even a few years ago.  Using the Internet, now migrants living around the world can form networks that work together to transfer information, skills and technology to people back home.  Here is one example of how this can work.  Ethiopian diaspora is a website designed to mobilize Ethiopians living abroad to help with development of their home country.  It is part of an innovative program, sponsored by the International Organization on Migration, to build development capacity in Africa.  The program is called Migration for Development in Africa (MIDA).  MIDA's objective is to "assist countries in building their institutional capacities in order to manage and achieve their development goals through the maximization of the benefits of global migration. MIDA aims to facilitate the transfer of technical skills and financial resources from Africans living abroad who are willing to contribute to the development of their countries of origin." 

World Council of Churches on migration & development

Here is the statement of the World Council of Churches on the Global Forum on Migration and Development.

Diasporas as Development Actors

I just learned about what sounds like an interesting event on Diasporas as Developing Actors, which is taking place at the New York Headquarters of the UN in early September. 

The website says that "UNITAR, IOM and UNFPA, with the support of the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, are organizing a seminar on “Diasporas as Development Actors” as part of its Migration and Development Series 2007. This two-day seminar will gather diaspora organizations and government representatives from around the world to explore and discuss forms of engagement geared towards two issues: i) promoting home country development, and ii) addressing challenges of co-existence and integration in host communities."

More information is available here.

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.

Migration and Development

Here is an article by Ban Ki-moon, UN Secretary General, in which he speaks about migration and development, the topic of our book, Stepping Out of the Brain Drain.  In the article, Secretary General Ki-moon recognizes the potential for migrants to assist development of their home countries, through remittances, direct foreign investment, knowledge transfers, etc., a point that we substantiate in Stepping Out of the Brain Drain.