Migrations have been a phenomenon that has always occurred in humanity. And the times in which we lived do not escape this logic. The pursuit of a better quality of life, better working conditions, educational, health and socio-environmental factors, as well as a more favorable economic situation are some of the elements that people take into account when deciding to move out of their city or country. , region or continent to another location. However, part of this phenomenon is also caused by forced and in many cases irregular displacement, including due to war conflicts, natural disasters and climate crises, religious persecution and undemocratic processes.
Within this framework, there are debates at a societal level about the contribution and contributions that migrants make to their target communities. According to a joint study by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) and the International Labor Organization (ILO), migrants in countries like Argentina pay more in taxes than they generate in government spending.
We also know that at a global level, a high percentage of migrants move to urban centers, where opportunities for work, economic inclusion and social security tend to be effective. In these contexts, migrants have the opportunity to make a useful contribution to their new communities and create spaces for their families to settle and avoid new displacements. Particularly in Latin America and the Caribbean, we are aware of this reality and therefore, at CAF as a development bank, we attach particular importance to supporting the subnational governments of our member countries. We implement a range of projects and solutions aimed at enabling cities and municipalities to strengthen their institutional and infrastructural capacities, as well as their relationship with the natural environment, to, among other things, serve migrant communities around the world to which they move, Opportunities to offer our territory.
For this reason, in August we became an observer panel of the Ibero-American Network of Migration Authorities (RIAM) to contribute to a comprehensive human mobility strategy in the 22 CAF member countries and to strengthen the reception and reception mechanisms, transit and return of migration cycles. Furthermore, during the meeting organized by the Government of Argentina and the International Organization for Migration (IOM), we sought to develop a more orderly, humane, fair, egalitarian and safe migration response for all Latin Americans and Caribbeans.
Our continent is a solution region for global problems. Both in food production, energy production, biodiversity and ecosystem services to combat climate change, as well as in integration and peace processes, our continent offers opportunities, advantages and opportunities for growth and inclusion for all.
To achieve this, it is necessary to continue to stimulate regional dialogues that are interdisciplinary and have broad, comprehensive and fair visions on the migration phenomenon itself. There is also an urgent need to combat global discourses that naturalize and promote an exclusionary and violent view of migrants, refugees and human mobility in general. Above all, it is important that national governments initiate appropriate regularization processes so that migrants have the same rights as citizens of host communities.
Migration is a phenomenon that will continue to exist, and all people who choose to migrate have the right to a dignified and fulfilling life. The recognition, integration and regularization of their situation are the first step to ensure this.
Christian Asinelli He is Corporate Vice President of Strategic Programming at CAF – Development Bank for Latin America and the Caribbean.