Discussion Spaces

Mohamed Osman The Roundtable should address the constricting civic space for migrant diaspora and civil society organizations, which is a key threat to the successful achievement of Objectives 3, 7 and 17. Especially in destination counties, there is a growing trend of hostility towards and legal restrictions on CSOs that provide advocacy or services to migrants and refugees. These migrant-allied CSOs have been increasingly criminalized for their work, often after being smeared by a toxic narrative painting their assistance to migrants as akin to criminal smuggling or trafficking. In recent years, migrant-allied CSOs have also faced the imposition of onerous administrative or financial burdens on their operations. These criminalization or toxic narrative campaigns and increased obstacles to operation often lead to de jure or de facto harassment of migrant-allied CSOs, and complicate their ability to carry out their work—much of which is crucial to the accomplishment of GCM objectives 3, 7 and 17.

Migrant-allied CSOs are often in a better position than authorities to provide information or deliver services to migrants because they are viewed as independent from law enforcement and political pressures, because they can reach migrants at different points in their journey and because they may have capacity to support migrants in particular ways that governments struggle with. Migrant-allied CSOs can also serve as effective advocates for migrants, especially those in irregular or vulnerable situations, because they can elevate migrant voices and more safely fight against xenophobia and discrimination. The cessation of legal hostility against migrant-allied CSOs and the promotion of an enabling environment that would allow civil society to combat discrimination and provide information and services to vulnerable migrant populations should be a priority challenge for States because the free functioning of migrant civil society is a necessary precondition to the achievement of the GCM objectives.

• Con referencia al objetivo 1 sobre datos, basado en un Diagnóstico sobre la Situación de las Estadísticas y una serie de webinarios organizados por la División de Población de CEPAL y la División Estadística de la ONU en 2021, a nivel regional en América Latina y el Caribe existen varias prácticas del uso de fuentes administrativas para fines estadísticos. El fortalecimiento de la cooperación en materia migratoria en la región ha redundado en la revisión de los procesos de producción de datos de registros administrativos, entre otros. Varios países cuentan con un mecanismo de coordinación interinstitucional, así aplicando el enfoque pan-gubernamental del Pacto en el tema de datos migratorios. También es factible producir indicadores para la formulación y evaluación de políticas, pero existe una gran variedad entre los países en términos de sus capacidades en este tema. Agencias de Naciones Unidas como ONU DAES y OIM ofrecen herramientas en este sentido. Además, el intercambio de información entre diferentes países para abordar temáticas migratorias a nivel regional es prioritario en varios procesos a nivel regional. Tendencias migratorias cambiantes requieren más cooperación, recopilación y acceso a datos de manera oportuna.
• With regard to objective 1 on data and based in an Assessment of Statistical Systems and a series of webinars organized by the Population Division of ECLAC and the Statistics Division of the UN, at the regional level in Latin America and the Caribbean a number of practices exist on the use of administrative sources for statistical purposes. The strengthening of cooperation on migration in the region has led to a revision of data production in administrative registries, among others. Several countries have an interinstitutional coordination mechanism, thus applying the whole-of-government approach of the GCM in the realm of migration data. It is also possible to produce indicators to formulate and evaluate migration policies, but there is a great variety among countries regarding their capacities in this area. UN agencies such as UN DESA and IOM offer tools in this regard. Furthermore, the exchange of information among different countries to address migration topics at the regional level is a priority in varios regional processes. Changing migration patterns require more cooperation, collection and access to data in a timely way.

The GCM recognizes the importance of data to promote evidence-based public discourse to combat xenophobia and eliminate all forms of discrimination. For example, GCM Champion Countries Canada and Ecuador, alongside the Mayors Mechanism, are working together to counter anti-migrant sentiment through the GFMD’s Ad Hoc Working Group on Public Narratives on Migration. Their efforts mitigate xenophobia by demonstrating the contributions of migrants as development actors and safe, well-managed migration as a development accelerator. 

International cooperation is at the heart of each of GCM Objectives 1, 3, 7, and 17 and all others. A revitalized global partnership is needed to renew the solidarity of Member States and all stakeholders as set out in the GCM’s whole of society approach. Commitment to joint action requires the mainstreaming of migration in development planning and policy at global, regional, national and local levels. As the success of the Mainstreaming Migration for International Cooperation and Development project has shown, integrating migration into existing processes effectively aligns GCM implementation with the 2030 Agenda, recognizing that migration and sustainable development are multidimensional and interdependent. 

This is such an important discussion topic, and I would like to share a few sustainable solutions that have successfully helped our cities in North America improve service access and delivery for disadvantaged migrant populations, provide information and training to guide new arrivals, and strengthen local civic and political participation.

I am the North America Focal Point for the Migration Youth and Children Platform at United Nations MGCY, where we work on addressing a range of social issues affecting young people all around the globe, through policy design and implementation, youth advocacy, capacity building, and open dialogue in identifying emerging issues and creating an evidence base for best practices, at the grassroots, regional, national, and global levels. I am also the Executive Director at Program yoUr Future, where I oversee the research and development of our artificially intelligent technologies and programs which support underrepresented youth in overcoming language and cultural barriers, better accessing social welfare services, and preparing for the labor market through educational and financial interventions.

In our technology-driven world, when we’re thinking about inclusivity within our cities and designing policies and programs that provide accurate and timely information at all stages of migration, it is very important to consider creative uses of smartphones to engage immigrant populations.

For example, in several of our North American cities, including New York and Chicago, one-stop apps provide a means for residents to access city services through a single portal–thereby, reducing barriers for residents with limited English proficiency and for those who lack institutional knowledge about which agency to contact for city services.

Civic apps are also helping migrants access information on immigrants' rights, training them for citizenship tests, and helping them volunteer, register to vote, participate in civic forums, and give feedback on civic planning processes.

Additionally, personalized learning tools and educational games, such as those that we have at Program yoUr Future (PUF), are ensuring adequate living conditions, decent work, and social protection for migrants by increasing their access to quality education and tailored instruction for specific occupations. Our apps for new arrivals are particularly advantageous over other technologies because of the on-the-go learning migrants can access during otherwise unused times (for instance while they are traveling to work), in any language and on any type of device, with the option to run offline, too, without the added cost of a wifi network. We have also integrated translation tools that help facilitate everyday interactions, including in urgent situations for accessing healthcare and disaster relief–which is a priority for our objectives.

By scaling the use of such innovations into the hands of even more individuals around the world, we can truly make a big different towards our sustainable development goals! 

And I think that is the true power of our Roundtable and the upcoming International Migration Review Forum–advancing such innovative, scalable solutions and identifying cross-cutting priorities that will enable us to work together to shape that beautiful, future world we all hope to live in. I welcome our shared commitment to uplift the voices of those who are most vulnerable within our communities. Looking forward to continuing this great discussion - Thank you.

Mohamed Osman a regional research in South Asia under the GOALS programme (Joint UN Programme To Support Collaboration and Effective Labour Migration Governance Launched on Eve of International Migrants Day - Afghanistan | ReliefWeb) has indicated the low level digital literacy amongst migrant workers, especially the low-skilled segment. Improving digital literacy will enable to capture data directly and easily from migrants as well as making it possible to provide information to them. 

The COVID-19 pandemic has both illuminated and exacerbated existing structural inequalities, with compounding effects for migrants and displaced persons in situations of vulnerability. Addressing and mitigating these devastating effects is imperative to ensuring their safety and protecting their well-being. Reducing inequalities and eliminating discrimination are also crucial to ensuring a prosperous future for all. As set out in the GCM, reducing vulnerabilities creates the conditions in which migrants are able to reach their full potential, enriching communities and contributing to sustainable development both where they are and where they’re from.  

This can only be achieved through widely available and high-quality data disaggregated by migratory status. Disaggregated data is a prerequisite to advancing progress towards the SDGs and harnessing the development potential of human mobility. Prioritizing data innovation will allow us to fulfil the promise of leaving no one behind, supporting evidence-based policy that can work for the benefit of all.  

With nearly 85% of the world’s population owning smartphones, and its use rising exponentially, especially among young people, prioritizing the design and development of such easy-to-use apps is critical for developing smart and inclusive cities in which city services, buildings, transportation, and infrastructure are connected to networks that in turn, also generate huge datasets with which urban policymakers can then inform and validate new sustainable solutions.

At the same time, while designing tech policy, we must be inclusive of migrants who leave less of a data trail and who may thus be underrepresented in the running and planning of future cities, by co-designing with migrants themselves--both young and old, digitally literate or not, while also keeping in mind the diversity of intersectional identities, including gender, disability, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, and religious beliefs, we each bring to the table–to ensure city services empower people with more control and independence and enable everyone to participate fully, equally, and effectively in society.

By adopting ethical design practices as we create digital experiences, we also influence companies and communities to do the right thing by respecting human needs, addressing xenophobic attitudes in public discourse, and finding ways to counter them with fact-based information and communication campagins.

Further, digital sustainability can also help us achieve our green targets, as evidence suggests that people are more inclined to use city services, such as energy-saving mass transit, when they have tools at-hand to plan their journey. And through careful consideration of the needs of migrants as we design these tools, we can effectively identify, address, and reduce the vulnerabilities that affect migrant populations, and make it easier for them to physically, cognitively, and emotionally make informed decisions during their journeys.