Towards resilient and inclusive societies: leveraging the role of local authorities to deal with migration

Cities and local governments have a critical role to play in harnessing the contribution of migrants for socio-economic development. It is at local level where the economic potential of newcomers can be leveraged to foster socio-economic opportunities for both hosting societies and migrants. Promoting an inclusive economic environment allows enhancing resilience of local communities, making diverse societies a place where all individuals – citizens and migrants together – can act as catalysts of economic growth.

Introductory Remarks

• Moderator: Ms. Teresa Albano, Economic Affairs Officer, Office of the Co-ordinator of OSCE Economic and Environmental Activities
• Ambassador Luca Fratini, Director of the Office of the Secretary General

Speakers

• Mr. Stefano Volpicelli, sociologist of migration, Trieste
• Mr. Khalid Koser, Executive Director of the Global Community Engagement and Resilience Fund, Geneva
• Ms. Stefanie Allemann, Senior Regional Policy Advisor, Regional Office for South-Eastern Europe, Eastern Europe and Central Asia, Liaison Office for UN Agencies and other International Organizations based in Vienna, International Organization for Migration
• Mr. Goran Svilanovic, former Secretary General, Regional Cooperation Council, Belgrade
• Mr. Joachim Roth, Network of Associations of Local Authorities of South-East Europe, Skopje
• Mr. Luca Pianese, Senior Migration and Security Expert, Office of the OSCE Secretary General

SUMMARY

Current demographic and depopulation trends paired with urbanization and brain drain, not only in the Pan-European space but also in other regions of the OSCE area, suggest that migrants can play a relevant role in revitalizing local economies, particularly those suffering from declining population, usually in rural areas. Although sudden and unexpected flows of migrants can test the resilience of hosting local communities, promoting effective labour market inclusion of migrants – regardless their legal status, including in transit regions – can contribute alleviating the consequences of these structural phenomena while expanding prospects for sustainable growth.

RECOMMENDATIONS

• Relevant stakeholders at different levels, international and regional organizations, national and local governments, social parties, the private sector, civil society, are encouraged to promote the inclusion of migrants in the local labour markets - regardless their legal status, including in destinations beyond the most targeted countries – as a way to revitalize local economies, especially in the post-pandemic scenario. Such inclusive approach would allow host communities appreciating the positive contribution of migrants to socioeconomic development, thus fostering resilience, economic growth and social cohesion.

• In the event of sudden and unexpected migration flows, relevant stakeholders at different levels - including multilateral and regional organizations - should promote timely, multi-sectorial responses that can pool the initial and spontaneous solidarity reaction of host communities, thus preserving social cohesion and prevent the escalation of social tensions. 

• Relevant stakeholders at different levels – including international and regional organizations – are encouraged to promote healthcare services and vaccination plans that are accessible to local citizens and migrants alike, regardless the legal status of the latter. Such inclusive approach can contribute easing social tensions related to the spread of the infection, thus improving the resilience of local communities.

• Regions involved in transit migration flows, such as the Western Balkans and other transit regions in the OSCE area, are encouraged to promote an inclusive approach towards migrants’ inclusion in local labour markets as a way to revitalize local economies and respond to labour shortages at different levels of skills, thus contributing to the resilience of host communities

* Terminology

- Migrant: Throughout the webinar and its recommendations, the term “migrant” will be used to indicate “Any person who changes her/his country of residence”, in line with the definition of the United Nations, Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Statistics Division (1998), Recommendation on statistics of international migration. Rev.1. Such definition represents the overarching concept that includes any person who no longer lives in the territory of origin for a minimum duration of time, regardless the reason or the purpose underlying the movement and regardless the legal status recognized or not recognized by state authorities in the territory of destination and/or transit. It is worth noting, that, according to the UN Convention on the Rights of Migrant Workers and the Members of their Families (ICRMW), people on the move beyond the age of 15, can be considered workers in line with the definition of article 2 of the convention: The term “migrant worker” refers to a person who is to be engaged, is engaged or has been engaged in a remunerated activity in a State of which he or she is not a national. According to art. 1.2 and 5 of the same Convention, the protection of labour rights and standards shall be ensured throughout the migration process, including at transit, and regardless the legal status of the worker, therefore both in case s/he is documented/in a regular situation as well as non-documented/in an irregular situation.

- Resilience: the International Labour Organization defines resilience as “the ability of a system, community or society exposed to hazards to resist, absorb, accommodate, adapt to, transform and recover from the effects of a hazard in a timely and efficient manner, including through the preservation and restoration of its essential basic structures and functions through risk management (ILO Recommendation No. 205, 2017, also known as R205). Such adaptation process acts as a catalyst of deep change – positive or negative – in the social fabric and power relations. A sudden and unpredictable flow of migrants can challenge the host community’s resilience and provide for positive opportunities and/or adverse consequences according to the coping strategies put in place by the same community.