SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION’S WIDE-RANGING MIGRATION DIALOGUE PRAISED AS SOLID BASIS FOR IDENTIFYING CHALLENGES, STRENGTHENING COOPERATION

Commission for Social Development                          

Forty-second Session                                       

11^th Meeting (AM)

SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION’S WIDE-RANGING MIGRATION DIALOGUE PRAISED

AS SOLID BASIS FOR IDENTIFYING CHALLENGES, STRENGTHENING COOPERATION

Following the Commission for Social Development’s first-ever consideration of international migration and migrants from a social perspective yesterday, the body’s Chairman this morning hailed the wide-ranging dialogue as a solid basis for identifying the trends and challenges of the phenomenon, and for strengthening cooperation towards better managing the movement of people across borders.

Jean-Jacques Elmiger (Switzerland) said that, by devoting its annual consideration of new and emerging issues to the social aspects of international migration, the Commission had given delegations, experts and civic actors an excellent opportunity to debate the myriad complexities of that phenomenon.  They had underscored, among other things, that the social impact of migration on regional development and global demographics made it more than just a “North-South” issue.

Therefore, he stressed that globalization, and the widening gap in resource allocation –- often due to poorly coordinated monitoring of the movements of free goods and capital, on one hand, and the movement of populations, on the other –- made it vital to strengthen international cooperation on migratory issues.  Efforts should focus on improving the overall perception of migrants, and better integrating them into society in their new homes.  Social impacts on sending countries, particularly in the area of remittances, must also be considered.

Mr. Elmiger said participants in the dialogue had underscored the need for developing consistent and complementary migratory and immigration policies among sending, transit and receiving countries.  All stakeholders must drive the search for solutions, including non-governmental organizations, civic actors and international financial institutions, particularly the World Bank.  International cooperation might also be envisaged in the area of law to ensure social protection and integration, according migrants the kind of status that would provide access to decent jobs and adequate income.

Stepped-up international cooperation might also make it possible to begin a process towards defining a normative migratory framework, which could enhance protections for each individual, he said.  Shared responsibility must be the goal -- linking States and governments, in order to come to grips with the root causes of migration and leading to greater support for migrants and the protection of their civil and political rights, and fundamental freedoms.

Following the Chairman’s summary of yesterday’s meeting, the Commission turned to matters related to its programme and methods of work as they related to the implementation of the outcome of major United Nations conferences, including the 1995 Copenhagen World Summit on Social Development and the twenty-forth special session of the General Assembly.

Johan Scholvink, Director of the Division for Social Policy and Development, introduced the relevant reports of the Secretary-General, first highlighting the recommendations contained in document E/CN.5/2004/2, which included more focused outcomes on priority themes; the adoption of a biannual work programme instead of the current five-year programme; more active involvement of United Nations organs in the Commission’s work; the active participation of the regional commissions; linking the Commission’s work with the other functional commissions; engaging civic participation; and a focus on important measures and emerging issues.

The more the Commission legislated, the more it would become victims of its own procedural rigidity, he said.  In short, process must not become more important than substance.  Given the session’s priority theme, improving public sector effectiveness, it would be ironic if the Commission’s deliberation on the topic would become the opposite of that.

When delegations took the floor to comment, several stressed that the starting point for any review must be the objective of improving the Commission’s ability to implement its mandate as the body with the primary responsibility for review of the Social Summit.  Most speakers welcomed the recommendation to broaden the engagement of all actors, including civil society and the private sector, in the social development field.  The Commission should raise its profile to attract a broader range of actors, one delegation added. 

Others felt the Commission needed to look at more fundamental improvements to its methods of work, including the effectiveness of the current forum of intergovernmental interaction, the relevance of the Commission’s outcomes, the ability of the Commission to articulate what it did to the public, as well as its ability to use the United Nations limited resources. 

A speaker stressed, however, that it was important to maintain flexibility within the Commission.  The body must emphasize the implementation and follow-up to Copenhagen.  Before moving to new issues, it needed a clear-cut formula for decision-making on those issues.  While some agreed that the Commission had to work with the entire United Nations system, they felt it was also important to take into account the individuality of each commission and respect the mandates of the Economic and Social Council’s subsidiary bodies.

The Commission next took up matters related to programme questions, with  Mr. Scholvink introducing document E/CN.5/2004/7 on the Commission’s proposed strategic framework for the biennium 2006-2007.  He said the report had been generated in response to the Assembly’s request for a strategic framework to replace current medium-term plan.  It listed the Commission’s proposed objectives, strategies, expected accomplishments and indicators of achievement for that period.  Several delegations requested more time to study the report and reserved the option to comment on it at a later date.

Speaking today were the representatives of Ireland (on behalf of the European Union), United States, Cuba, India, Indonesia, Canada, Peru, and Qatar (on behalf of the “Group of 77” developing countries and China).

The Commission will meet again at 3 p.m. Thursday, 12 February, to continue consideration of its programme of work and working methods.

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