Call for presentations Metropolis Conference

Within the framework of the Metropolis Conference, taking place in Bonn, Germany, 27^th to 31^st October 2008, the EADI Working Group on International Migration will host a workshop on

Migration, remittances and governance: A focus on EU and marginal regions

There is a limited number of presentation slots available, and you are cordially invited to apply by submitting a one-page abstract. Representatives of research institutions, presenting scientific results, as well as NGOs, international and government institutions presenting empirical issues, are equally welcome.

Accepted contributions later on will be published in a proceedings volume, and it would, therefore, be expected that the presenters will supply a full paper in due time after the Conference.

Please send your abstract at 30^th July 2008 at the latest to Béatrice Knerr at knerr@uni-kassel.de.

For further information about the Metropolis Conference, the overall programme and details of participation please turn to the website

http://www.metropolis2008.org/welcome_note/index.html

The content of the WG workshop is as follows:

Remittances by international labour migrants staying in EU countries constitute a major source of income for many families in economically marginal regions of poorer states. They are often expected to promote growth in economically less developed countries. Yet, empirical results demonstrate that at least on a regional level, negative economic effects might prevail. What would be the outcome strongly depends on governance regimes extending to migratory movements, capital transfer, and economic environment in host and source countries. Since the early 1990ies, essential governance changes have modified these rules in a way that has promoted international movements of capital and goods, but to a lesser extent labour mobility. Nevertheless, its influence as a catalyst of capital movements can hardly be underestimated, and the coupled effects of both flows strongly influence the development of marginal regions from which migrants come,.

While officially erected barriers against in-migration to the EU tend to become tighter, the demand for foreign labour force in (potential) host countries is strong, as many branches need them for remaining competitive. On the other end of the migration corridors, millions of deprived households depend on the remittances of family members abroad to sustain their livelihoods. In many countries, remittances are important for keeping social peace. Conflicts of interest between livelihood security in the home countries and migrants’ integration in the host countries might be a result.

The workshop will supply first-hand knowledge about these issues. Also, alternative developments will be considered by presenting governance implications for non-EU migration-corridors.