Cities are at the forefront of responding to the needs of migrants. Internationally, cities and local authorities are increasingly recognised as important stakeholders in migration management. It is in this context that France took the initiative of organising a meeting entitled “National authorities, local authorities and migration” in the framework of the Dialogue in collaboration with the Rabat Process Secretariat, implemented by the International Centre for Migration Policy Development.
Set to take place on 14th and 15th September 2021 in Paris, France, the meeting is the first face-to-face gathering of the Rabat Process since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic. It is a “Rabat Process” labelled meeting led by France, which had been originally scheduled to take place during the French Chairmanship of the Dialogue in 2020.
The labelling system allows Dialogue partner countries to take the lead in implementing activities in line with the Marrakech Action Plan. In doing so, they contribute to the achievement of the objectives of the Action Plan while addressing their own strategic priorities.
The role of national and local authorities in migration management
Cities and local authorities have far-reaching responsibilities when it comes to responding to the needs of migrants, facilitating their access to basic services (education, health, housing, employment), promoting economic and social inclusion and, above all, conducting public policies on migration throughout the country.
At the international level, cities and local authorities are increasingly recognised as important stakeholders in migration management. The Valletta Joint Action Plan and the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration recall the importance of supporting the development and implementation of comprehensive strategies on migration and mobility at national, regional and local levels. The Rabat Process Marrakesh Action Plan also calls for an “inclusive and multi-stakeholder approach” to migration management.
Exploring multi-level governance and socio-economic inclusion
Against this background, the Rabat Process meeting will gather local and national authorities from Africa and Europe and will be the occasion to discuss different models of multi-level governance of migration in place in Rabat Process partner countries. Participants will be able to exchange good practices regarding coordination of migration between the two levels of government.
- The first day will focus on exploring different forms of migration governance at local and national level, illustrated by practical examples from Rabat Process partner countries, with special attention given to the key role of associations and networks of local authorities in strengthening the relationship between the local and national levels.
- The programme of the second day will focus specifically on the socio-economic inclusion of migrants. Participants will explore the dynamics of reception and socio-economic inclusion at the local level, based on practical exercises and the exchange of existing good practices that promote an inclusive and multi-stakeholder approach, involving national and local authorities as well as non-governmental stakeholders.
Registrations are open for representatives of Rabat Process partner countries and organisations:
