The context in which international migration takes place is complex and ever changing. Policies and assumptions of yesterday do not necessarily allow governments and other stakeholders to address today’s migration issues or plan for tomorrow’s migration reality. Together, the deep historical roots of migration and the evolution of approaches to managing it must be understood if decision-makers are to proceed towards making effective choices. This section aimed to provide some of that historical context while discussing the drivers of international migration and the interlinkages between human movements and other transnational forces that shape the world.
