The High-Level Dialogue on International Migration and Development held in New York held on Oct. 3 and 4 was a good opportunity to address a pressing issue: how to manage global labor migration flows and to ensure that they have a positive impact on both sending and destination countries.
There are an estimated 232 million migrants worldwide and their numbers are growing. This is due to several reasons, including: changing demographic trends, rising economic inequalities, increased political instability and unforeseen environmental crises.
Most migrants don't leave their home countries out of choice but out of necessity. The lack of decent jobs and income opportunities is usually what pushes them to migrate. Sadly this journey is all too often made in desperate and perilous conditions. And when they arrive in their new destination or even when they go back home, they are vulnerable to discrimination.