Conclusion: Migration in the Global South: Indications for the Global Compact?

Abstract

The concluding chapter brings together the different contributions of the book, which in their own way all analyse relevant and new aspects of migration in the Global South. In doing so, the chapter focuses on common issues and interests in migration at a Global South level and the differences to those of established industrialised countries, as well as policy and management of migration in the Global South. Based on this, two main recommendations are put forward. Firstly, migration and development policy should be seen as complements rather than as substitutes. Considering the dominance of labour as a driver of migration as well as other drivers of migration in the Global South, there is an evident need to better integrate international migration policy and economic development policy. Secondly, managing the complex migration patterns in the Global South requires flexibility and adaptability, especially in the light of the Global Compact for Safe, Regular and Orderly Migration. Different experiences and practices with migration policy provide a rich portfolio of best practices and highlight the importance of the regional dimension. A stronger involvement of regional organisations may contribute to moderating potential conflicts of interest on migration between the Northern industrialised countries and the countries of the Global South and, as such, strengthen the complementarity between migration and economic development.