Wonmen and Global Migration: Root Causes and innovative Solutions - Forum - 2nd Draft - Geneva, Switzerland

\Vontcn and Global Migration: Root Causes and innovative Solutions

Forum 23rd February 2018 Palals des Nations- Gene,•a

Today we are faced wiU1 a daunting situation ll~1t slrai11s otu· social fabric and influences global security. Global displacement is currently estimated at over 244 million people. The migrnto1y flows of those who flee tl1eir cow1tries in desperation and hope of a better life are rife with wmecessary and tragic deaths and cow1tless otlter deplorable lnunan rights violations. Yet U1ere is another, less reported side, tlte one that reminds tis of our conunon luunanity through Ute empatl1y and welcome shown to weary travel-wom anival.s or in tl1e evidence of mutual benefit to conu11unities when integration is successfid. \Vhile problems related to migration are datmtirig, the creative solutions emerging from the United NatiotLS inter-agency work on the issue (]OM, UNHCR, UNDP, UN \Vomen, UNICEF..), govenunents, institutions and cotmtless facets of civil society Uuoughout the world are equally astonishilig - and need to be conuuwlicated and replicated

Tllis Fonun was conceived as an opportwlity to bririg govemrnents, experts and practi tioners togethe.r to debate; compare knowledge, evidence and good practices. Differences in regional dynamics and growil1g complexities make Uris fonun more urgent than ever. Debates will touch different tl1ematic areas, includirig; U1e causes of displacement, the relationship between migration and the labor market, remedies for better integration in U1e host cowitries. and tl1e influences of radicalization. All wiU be examined as they cross-cul with nligrant women. Recommendations will be compiled and disseminated toward greater clarity, solidarity and conunitment to action.

Decisions to leave everything behind and seek a new start in an 1mknown and foreign state have been precipitated by many circwnstances and emotions. \Vhile a few of U,e most dramatic and tragic nugrant stories have surfaced in the international me<tia, each personal story is 1uuque and probably 1uii.m aginable to someone not havirig e,qierienced it. To be able to respond effectively in policy at any level, il is necessruy to be aware of all the harsh and favorable factors that drive an individual away from his/her cotu1by and fanlily. Accordi11g lo !OM. some of the most prevalent factors attributed to tllis phenomenon are work, violence, religion/cttlture, h1u1ger and increasiJigly, climate chruige.

Such nligratory flows inevitably affect tlte labor market botlt in the abandoned state and in ll1e newly settled state as Ute workforce shifts. It is important to analyze tllis relationsllip. Some

cow1tries have excess workforce while 0U1ers are characterized by a demand for workers. Can we find solutions to acllieve greater balance, perhaps affectilig Ute current nligration paradigm?

Simone A. Ovart - Borgata Bouis.sa. 7 - 10060 Villar Pellice {Torino) - Italy Tel. +39 0121 930049 - Mobile +39 335 409162 - E-mail: ovart@tin.it

Specifically, a foreign workforce may be an opportrntity or a burden 10 the recipient slate depending on wheUter or nol it is able to e>.’Ploit Ute potential U1al Ute subjects enlering U1e cowttry offer. What are U1e rnlique challenges and oppornulities to women in nligration? II is increasingly cnicial Uiat instnunents, regulations and measures be introduced to promole Ute recognition of Ute qualifications specificities and competences, which are now often ignored or neglecled.

The 1en·oris1pheno111enon, a lopic of great relevance today, is ollenlimes a phenomenon co,mected wilh the shills which speci6cally cha.racterize the Middle East, Norlh Africa. In addition to being one of the causes of migratio,, terrorism and religious e>.1remism are at the same time one of the reasons or justificatio1t5 behind the reluclance that some slates show in welcoming and ope,ting !heir borders to foreigners. IJ,~1en it co111es to nligralion Oows ii is U1erefore also frntdamental continue to anal)”Le l11e solul.ions lo elimi1iating terrorism and increasing global securily.

The final and essential step for all those who change U·,eir co1u1by is 1he hope for i111egration into U1e cow1try of des1i1iation. Effective integration is still far from being achieved while 1here are good prac1ices ,nodels IJ,at can be leamed. II is U1ercfore vital 10 highlight the essential factors for integration, adapt.ation and assimilation in lhe social sys1e111 of U1e co1mlry of destination. 8111 even before U1a1, and for in1egration lo be really implemenled, altention 11111s1 be paid to xenophobia and relaled episodes. which are also present. in U1e 111()(\\ advanced societies.

Opport1u1ities for re111edy exist, as never before. \Vorld govenuuents and a growing part of civil society l,ave al.ready co111111it1ed 10 U1e 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda, a well-thoughl 0111 road111ap Uial holds tangible potential to ending forced migration and increasing prospects for cohesive commwtities, creating dignified livelihoods and engaging youtl1 for its continuation. This fonun is an opporllmity 10 strenglhen and broaden U1is commitment II is essential 1ha1 1he intentational commwtily come 1ogeU1er 10 help heal Otis wo1md and pledge to defend the lnuna.,1 rights and dignity of lltis very v,~nerable a.i1d 1mderesti.mated seb’lnent of luunanily.

Simone A. Ovart • Borgata Bouissa. 7 - 10060 Villar Pellice {Torino) - Italy Tel. +39 0121 930049 - Mobile +39 335 409162 - E-mail: ovart@lin.it

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Women a nd Globa l Migration: Root Causes and innovative Solutions ROOi\1 Xl - Palais des Nations (United Nations Gene,·a)

8:30 Arrival and registration- Palais des Nations- Pregny Gate Avenue de la Paix - Genevc

9:30- J0:00 Official 0 1,cning of the Forum

“ ’ clcome by tlie Organisers: l\’ls. Simone A. Ovart, Zonta lntemational, Main Representative at the United Nations Geneva and President of the NGO Conunittee of U1e Statns of \Vomen - Geneva

0 11ening Remark.~:

l\•I. l\11chael l\’.loller, Director General of the UN Office at Geneva Amb. Olga Algaycro,·a, Executive Secretary, UN Economic Commission for Europe (invited) H.E. !\fr Olaph Tcrribilc, Ambassador of Malta H.E. i\lr. Jlassane Bouklll, Deputy Permanent Representative to U1e UN

10:0-0 - 11:00 Session l

Factors affecting migration flows

In the current global context, what are the most recent causes of displacement and how do they overlap? Preventive considerations?

• Ms. Sonja Honig Schough, lntemational President Zonta lnte.mational and Zonia inte.mationai f’0tmdation “\Vomcn and Unsafe Migration”

• Princess i\1icheline l\<lakou Djouma, PresidenVChief Executive of Ocaproce intenllltional “Les factcurs des mouvements migratoires Africauis en Europe”

• Ms. Colelle Samoya, Former Ambassador R. P. Burundi, Fomtder Bru1gwe &. Dialogue “fhe causes of migration in history and in u,e contemporary context”

Simone A. Ovart • 8-0rgata 8-0uissa. 7 - 10060 Villar Peltice (Torino) - Italy E-mail: ovart@lin.it

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Motleralor: Simone A. O,,,ut, Mahi Represe111ntfre of Zonia lnten,atio,wl to the UN Office ;,, Ge11e,,a - Preside11t ofthe NGO Co111111ittee ofthe Status ofW0111e11 - Ge11eva

11 :0-0- 12:00: S ession 2

i\·l ovem enls and labor force

Given Uie global shifts and disparities in tile lal>otu· market. what are Uie possibilities for remedy and balance? Migrant women and U1eir empowennent in the world of work.

Are 1he trigh foreign qualifications fttlly tmderstood and valued by states? New perspectives for the recog1rition of skills acqtrired in 1he cotmtries of 01igin.

-~Ir. Pie rre i\’lartin111-Lag.lrcle, International Labor Organization

-i\1s. i\1adl S harma, Entrepreneur, European Economic and Social Cotutcil, Bmsscls

. Dr. Brian Grim, President, Religious Freedom & Business Fotmdation “\Vhal economies have to gain from women migrants and whal tJ1ey have to lose by losing womenu.

,l1odera1or: Ms. Carolyn Ha11dschi11, Direcrorfor UN Relntio11s, /11ten1ntio11al Vice P1·esidei11 (rep Enrope) IV0111e11 ‘s Federatioufor IVorld Peace, l11ten10tio11al (IVFWPI)

12 :00 - 13:00: Sessi on 3

Promotion of human rights and innovalive sol ulions

Terrorism and religious extremism are l>oU1 factors winch foster migration flows and are causes of reluctance to welcome migrants in destination cotuitries. How to address those phenomena to reach stable security and healtliy integration?

\Vhich are the essential factors for the integration, adaptation and assimila1jon in the social system? How can programs such as the SDG’s be applied to btrild trust and eradicate xenophobia in the cotuitries of destination?

-i\1s. C hristine Loew UN \Vomen Director of Geneva Office

-i\1s. Melissa Fleming. Head of Conumurications and Chief Spoke Person for UNHCR (tbc)

Moderalor: l,fs. A1111e Riz. PAWCO Mni11 Representative at the UN Ge11evn

Simone A Ovart • Borgata Bouissa. 7 - 10060 Villar Pellice (Torino) - llaly E-mail: ovart@lin.it