This section briefly looks at non-governmental actors, such as civil society and the private sector. It focuses on their role in migration management and migration governance at the international level. Including them in the development, implementation and evaluation of policies is known as a “whole-of-society” approach.

Civil society

The definition of the term “civil society” differs according to the context, but usually refers to a vast array of non-governmental and not-for-profit organizations that have a presence in public life and are guided by ethical, cultural, political, scientific, religious or philanthropic considerations (World Bank, 2007).

Civil society is the term for a range of formal and informal organizations and actors in society, which advance a collective interest and are distinct from the public sector and the corporate sector. Depending on the definition, the following actors can be broadly grouped under civil society:

  • NGOs, not-for-profit organizations with an organized structure or activity. These are usually registered entities, and include:
    • Local and international NGOs;
    • Regional or thematic NGO networks;
    • Diaspora communities or groups.
  • Faith-based organizations.
  • Trade unions and professional associations.
  • International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement (an international non-governmental body with special status in international law and a hybrid between an IGO and an NGO).
  • Researchers including academia, think tanks, independent researchers and research institutions.
  • Philanthropic foundations and funds.
  • Emerging actors of civil society (such as online groups and social media communities).

Non-governmental organizations

The term non-governmental organizations (NGOs) is often used synonymously with civil society, but more correctly refers to a specific category of organizations within the broader definition of civil society organizations. The term is used to refer to many different types of organizations with a wide range of interests and activities. However, they are similar in that they usually hold structured policy dialogues. This includes self-help associations (at the local level), human rights groups, migrant associations, diaspora associations, research and policy groups as well as lobby/advocacy groups and umbrella groups or networks (read more on the role of non-governmental organizations at the national level in Who are stakeholders?).

NGOs are a vital source of information and are valuable partners in migration governance and migration management.They can play a pivotal role in service provision, advocacy and research (including on human rights), consultation, monitoring of policy implementation and other areas. International NGOs and their networks differ in their mission, size and institutional capacities. But they all can have an impact on policy dialogues on migration through informing regional and global processes on migration: for example, through targeted advocacy or by participating in global/regional consultations at intergovernmental level.

To Go Further
Policy Approaches
Working with international NGOs for more effective migration management
  • Draw on the knowledge and experience of international NGOs to inform policymaking processes.
  • Facilitate the participation of international NGOs in regional and international consultations.
  • Consult and cooperate with international NGOs in the development, implementation and evaluation of migration policies at the national level.

Trade unions

Beyond their domestic role, trade unions that are part of regional or global formations can contribute to ensuring consistencies in labour market policies, social protection systems and the protection of migrant workers in both countries of origin and countries of destination (read more on the role of Trade unions at the national level). This role can be particularly useful during the negotiations of bilateral labour migration agreements (BLMAs) and consideration should be given to consulting with trade union representatives in both the countries of origin and destination, where possible and appropriate. (Read more on such agreements and Policy development for labour migration and mobility).

Example
Bilateral labour migration agreement between Nepal and Jordan

Many Nepalese migrants move to Jordan for work. The bilateral labour agreement between Nepal and Jordan signed in 2017 includes language in the standard labour contract for Nepalese migrant workers that enables migrant workers to affiliate with trade unions of their sector in Jordan, in addition to other provisions that have been praised for the protection of migrant workers’ rights. This step can help address the vulnerable positions in which migrant workers often find themselves, for instance because they are not always fully aware of their rights.

Source

Wickramasekara, 2018.

To Go Further
Policy Approaches
Working with trade unions for a more effective migration management
  • Where appropriate, involve national/regional trade union formations in policymaking processes.
  •  Include trade union representatives in negotiations of bilateral labour migration agreements (BLMAs).
  • Consult trade unions on the inclusion of appropriate text in BLMAs to ensure the protection of migrant workers.

Note: Further approaches in Policy development for labour migration and mobility.

Academia and research institutions

The importance of informed policymaking for effective, sustainable and strategic migration management has been recognized in international agreements such as the New York Declaration and the subsequent Global Compact for Migration. Objective 1 of the Global Compact for Migration is “Collect and utilize accurate and disaggregated data as a basis for evidence-based policies.”

Research and analysis undertaken by academia, as well as by applied researchers, constitute a valuable source of information for governments to develop evidence-based migration policies and programmes. Researchers can be commissioned to provide analyses to help inform dialogues and approaches at the regional or international level. Other types of partnerships with academia include policy workshops, interactive expert meetings, high-level consultations, and conferences where experts present on specific topics, as is often the case in forums such as the IOM International Dialogue on Migration (IDM) or the Global Forum for Migration and Development (GFMD).

Example
Cross-country research partnerships to inform policy – the case of the Consortium for Applied Research on International Migration Observatories

The Consortium for Applied Research on International Migration (CARIM) Observatories was one of the initiatives the European Commission funded to improve the knowledge base on migration and to better inform European Union external policy. Established in 2004, the consortium worked through specific projects to improve the understanding of migration patterns to the European Union from origin and transit countries to its east (CARIM-East Observatory, 2011–2013) and south (CARIM-South Observatory, 2004–2013). These observatories brought together experts from the various countries involved and played a key role in filling knowledge gaps. They developed a successful model of cross-country and research-policy collaboration by prompting the production of data in areas where they did not exist, and the linguistic, conceptual and methodological translation of analysis that was otherwise hard to access and compare. Further, they fostered the co-production of research that served the interests of origin and transit countries as well as the European Union. CARIM researchers actively participated in research-policy dialogues by contributing with briefs on migration topics and taking part in working groups on migration. This collaborative experience enabled a more comprehensive understanding of migration patterns in the regions involved and, subsequently, of the European Union’s position in them. This better informed European Union policy while enriching the evidence base on migration for partner countries.

Source

Weinar, 2019.

It must also be noted, however, that policy and research sectors operate in different ways, which can pose challenges to such collaborations. For instance, academic review and publication timelines are rather long when policymakers often need evidence and answers quickly.

Policy Approaches
Working with research institutions for a more effective migration management
  • Draw on existing research and/or commission research on migration topics when formulating, implementing and evaluating policies at the national and regional level.
  • Invite research institutions to present their findings in appropriate forums and to advise on policy responses.
  • Facilitate and support multi-country/comparative research in collaboration with research institutions and academia, including supporting partnership models that acknowledge and effectively work with the relevant diversity aspects (for instance, linguistic, research cultures, institutional settings).
  • Draw on the experience and expertise of academic and research institutions to develop in-house research capacity.

Read more in Stage 2: Data, research and analysis for policymaking

Private sector

Like trade unions, many private sector companies also have international links and a vested interest in migration. Businesses want to ensure that the migrant workers they recruit have the appropriate skills and expertise. Businesses are also faced with the need to replace the workforce in countries with an ageing population, and they want to access a more diverse talent pool in a timely way, which can be challenging if there are constraints on workers’ mobility (Dos Reis, Koser and Levin, 2017).

There can be benefits to engaging the private sector, not only nationally, but also at the international level (read more on the role of the Private sector at the national level). Through the exchange of labour market information between entities in different countries, individual States could have a more complete picture of labour market dynamics. This could assist in the development of labour market information systems (LMIS) that are not only compatible between different countries, but also contain information about several countries within a particular region. The private sector can also be key in the creation of jobs and internships to integrate migrants into the labour force (Koser, 2013) and can helpfully support global skill partnerships (see more about these Partnerships).

Engagement with private sector entities at the international level can begin with policy dialogue, knowledge sharing, technical cooperation, capacity-building, grants and donations, as well as financing (Dos Reis, Koser and Levin, 2017). At this level, engaging business councils such as the International Organisation of Employers (IOE) or national business councils such as the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) can facilitate the development of partnerships with companies beyond those usually engaged by the World Economic Forum, IOM or the Global Forum on Migration and Development (GFMD). For instance, companies with a direct business interest in migration, such as those engaged in money transfers that are often nationally-owned and mainly large enterprises, can be engaged in these sorts of partnerships.

Policy Approaches
Working with the private sector for a more effective migration management
  • Privilege consultations that address issues of direct interest to the private sector such as:
    • Skills needs/shortages that could be addressed through migration;
    • Generating accurate information on migration;
    • Addressing drivers and root causes of migration;
    • Innovative financing solutions and risk financing;
    • Systemic innovation (reducing management costs, improving transparency, harmonizing reporting and so on);
    • Creating conditions for balanced, sustainable and inclusive economic growth and employment;
    • Strengthening the capacity of educational institutions;
    • Enhancing employment opportunities;
    • Reducing the costs of labour migration;
    • Promoting faster, cheaper and safer transfers of migrant remittances.
  • Involve private sector companies in the design and implementation of a regional labour market information system (LMIS).
  • Consider engaging a wider range of private sector actors than those typically consulted, including companies without a direct business interest in migration that may still benefit from it (for example, through a diverse workforce).
Source

Dos Reis, Koser and Levin, 2017.

Example
Private sector consultation: The Global Forum on Migration and Development and the private sector

The Global Forum on Migration and Development (GFMD) facilitates dialogue among governments in consultation with other relevant stakeholders in migration and development fields. The private sector has long been recognized as a crucial player in this field. At the Istanbul Summit Meeting in 2015 a “GFMD Business Mechanism” was endorsed with the following objectives, as put forth by the GFMD:

  • Mobilize business federations from around the world to engage on migration issues;
  • Raise awareness among business federations on the work of the GFMD;
  • Carry out surveys and studies on best practices on business and migration issues;
  • Organize a mid-year GFMD thematic business meeting;
  • Provide a space for the private sector to actively participate in and contribute to the GFMD summit meetings, common space and civil society days;
  • Advocate for businesses to promote sound migration policies that take into account economic perspectives.

The Mechanism provides a business perspective on migration policy to the GFMD and the GCM. This perspective is coordinated by the Business Advisory Group, which is housed by the International Organization of Employers (IOE). This group leads substantial work on a range of topics, particularly the need for international skills mobility, fair recruitment and decent work, skills matching and certification recognition, the role of entrepreneurship and circular migration for development.

Source

 GFMD and the private sector

To Go Further
Key messages
  • Migration is often described as a cross-cutting issue because it has an impact on, and draws the interest of, a wide range of organizations and institutions at all levels. In addition to States and intergovernmental organizations (IGOs), a range of non-State actors are involved. These include civil society, such as non-governmental organizations, trade unions and academia, and the private sector.
  • The design and implementation of policies, legislation, administrative frameworks and projects and programmes that involve migration governance and management are most effective when these several actors work together: governmental and non-governmental; at international, regional, national and subnational levels.
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