Global Agenda Council on Migration 2011

Migration is a key driver in international affairs. Three out of every 100 people are migrants. The breadth and depth of migration have increased significantly in the last decade and its social, cultural and economic implications have become more complex. Bleak perspectives at home, job prospects in destination countries, the existence of transnational social networks, conflict and persecution are cited as the principal driving forces of migration. Increasingly the effects of climate change are pushing people to migrate. 

Some key actors, including parts of the business community, advocate for policies facilitating migration. Others oppose migration, asserting harmful impacts on wages, social welfare, but also on local cultures. What are the responsibilities of government, business and international organizations in steering migration flows and fostering the integration of migrants?