The link between migration and development has been widely addressed by the Rabat Process in recent years and many partner countries implement initiatives to address this nexus. In the latest Rabat Process video, representatives of Côte d’Ivoire and Switzerland share their experience in the development of their own national migration and development strategies and policies.
The video premiered at the first “Rabat Process” labelled event – a webinar entitled, “International Migration and Development – Mainstreaming migration into development policies and cooperation”, piloted by the French Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs, with the support of the Rabat Process Secretariat, implemented by ICMPD.
Côte d’Ivoire: diaspora engagement for development
Côte d’Ivoire implements several initiatives that aim at maximising the positive contribution migrants can make to national development. Issiaka Konaté, Director-General of Ivorians Abroad at the Ministry of African Integration, shares insights into the elaboration of Côte d’Ivoire’s Migration and Development Strategy and its Action Plan, as well at the Ivorian Diaspora Management Policy. He explains how these initiatives contribute to the overall development objective of Côte d’Ivoire, which is to become and emerging economy, and outlines the priorities of the Ivorian diaspora.
Switzerland: a dedicated Migration and Development programme
To fully harness the potential of migration for development, Switzerland runs the Global Programme Migration and Development (GPMD) as part of its wider development cooperation. Emilie Ballestraz, Programme Manager of the GPMD at the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, presents the strategic framework of the programme, which will soon be released. Switzerland involves different levels in this programme, ranging from the local level to international discussion forums. The GPMD contributes to Switzerland’s overall International Cooperation Strategy, which takes into account the challenges, but also the opportunities of migration for society.
