{"id":2801,"date":"2021-01-21T20:17:08","date_gmt":"2021-01-21T19:17:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gfmdcivilsociety.org\/staging\/9981\/?p=2801"},"modified":"2021-01-21T20:17:14","modified_gmt":"2021-01-21T19:17:14","slug":"gfmd-summit-roundtable-preventing-irregular-migration","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gfmdcivilsociety.org\/staging\/9981\/gfmd-summit-roundtable-preventing-irregular-migration\/","title":{"rendered":"GFMD Summit Hosts Roundtable Discussion on Approaches to Preventing Irregular Migration"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Inclusive social protection, expanded regular pathways, better data and strong partnerships highlighted by roundtable participants.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

On day three of the 13th<\/sup> Global Forum on Migration and Development (GFMD) Summit<\/a>, some 240 delegates gathered for a roundtable discussion on Approaches to Preventing Irregular Migration<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Opening the discussion, co-chair Ambassador Jos\u00e9 Luis Pardo of Spain described irregular migration as \u201ccontentious, divisive and unavoidable,\u201d and emphasized the need for stakeholders \u201cto build a common ground to find common responses.\u201d Co-chair Ambassador Hector Constant Rosales of Venezuela similarly described the topic as a \u201cglobal and multi-sectoral issue, which must be tackled in order to ensure the inclusion of all migrants in our societies.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Introducing the session background paper<\/a>, Kathleen Newland of the Migration Policy Institute<\/a> echoed Ambassador Pardo by stating: \u201cIrregular migration is one of the most difficult issues to take up in a multi-stakeholder environment, as discussion is often highly polarized.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Newland urged that returns should not be seen through the lens of migration management, and that countries of destination should instead recognize the challenges it presents for both countries of origin and irregular migrants themselves. She also pointed to the scarcity and disputed nature of data on irregular migration, stating that \u201cwithout good data, we are condemned to grope in the dark for good policy choices.\u201d Newland concluded by emphasizing the importance of partnerships at all levels to tackling irregular migration, and urging policymakers to better understand both the magnitude of irregular migration and the motivations of irregular migrants.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cLow-paid, unskilled and informal workers are the most vulnerable to loss of rights, and increasing regular pathways will decrease this vulnerability.\u201d<\/p>Masud Bin Momen, Foreign Secretary of Bangladesh<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

Roundtable speakers and participants addressed discussion questions set out in the background paper in three focused sessions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Addressing the question, What actions or processes lead to a decline in irregular migration, and what role does policy play?<\/strong>, Michele LeVoy of the Platform for International Cooperation on Undocumented Migrants (PICUM)<\/a> highlighted three key points:<\/p>\n\n\n\n