Why migration is an opportunity for development

Challenging the typical characterization of migration, numerous studies indicate that migration can drive development through economic growth and competitiveness in the private sector.

Ugur Sahin was born in Turkey in 1965 and came to Germany at the age of four. He and his family migrated in search of a better life, work, progress and, above all, opportunities. Five decades later, Ugur himself would give the whole world a chance.

Together with his wife and colleague, Özlem Türeci, also of Turkish roots, they founded BioNTech the pharmaceutical company that created the Pfizer vaccine. The media were quick to echo the origins of the pair of scientists and debate the social role of migrants.

Currently, it is estimated that there are more than 280 million international migrants, equivalent to about 3.5% of the world’s population.

Migration has always existed. Currently, it is estimated that there are more than 280 million international migrants, equivalent to almost 3.5% of the world’s population. It is undoubtedly a challenging phenomenon, but it is often stripped of its nuances to reduce it to a mere problem.

Latin America and the Caribbean are facing an unprecedented migration phenomenon. Of the nearly 15 million migrants in the region, more than half have left their countries in the last five years due to political, social and economic instability, natural disasters and, most recently, Covid-19.

What does this migratory movement mean?

The Innovation Lab (IDB Lab) and the Migration Unit of the IDB say that migration drives countries’ growth and innovation capacity. In its report “MIGnnovation” They point out that the image of the migrant carrying his belongings in a cardboard suitcase is obsolete: “Today, his most valuable luggage is the cell phone he carries with him, which brings together his past and present, and helps him build his future,” says the report.

“Today your most valuable luggage is the cell phone you carry with you, it binds your past and your present, and helps you build your future.”

Although several governments of the region’s countries have shown great commitment through policies that favor inclusion and opportunities, the evidence shows that this has not been enough.

The profound challenges triggered by migration (provision of public services, labor markets, tax burdens, among others) make evident the need for a balanced articulation of the private sector and civil society as a whole. the need for a balanced articulation of the private sector and the civil society as a whole involved in working and innovating on these challenges.

Documented evidence supports the assertion that migration promotes economic growth and competitiveness in the private sector and civil society of host nations. The latest UN World Migration Report provides important data in this regard.

Migration and development in Argentina

Argentina is no stranger to this discussion as it has a long and sustained migratory tradition, being one of the countries in the region with the highest flow of migrant population, especially from neighboring countries.

5.1% of its population is migrant, or 2.2 million people. Of these, 53% are between 19 and 40 years of age, making them part of the working population with the potential to work. Although the migrant employment rate is higher than that of the native population, 50.9% of migrants are in irregular employment, 50.9% of migrants are in an irregular employment situation, compared to 31.8% of Argentines. compared to 31.8% of Argentines.

Projects such as the one led by Ashoka Cono Sur, “Hello Argentina”focused on understanding, analyzing and taking the first steps for creating a network of actors around migration in the countryare looking for hacking the migration narrative and inspire a new approach to migrants, positioning them as major channels for innovation and agents of change that contribute to the development and progress of a country.driving transformations.

In its mapping “Social Innovation for Migration”.The project, carried out during 2020 with the support of the International Organization for MigrationHola Argentina” identified more than 40 innovative solutions in the areas of labor insertion, financial inclusion, education, health, housing security and migration regularity, among other issues of great relevance and urgency for the integration of the migrant population in Argentina.

One such solution is Nippy led by Diego Amondaray. This is an ecosystem that works to create employment, growth and business opportunities for migrants in different Latin American countries. Its focus today is on the 4.9 million Venezuelan migrants. Through three business units, they serve as a link between people, companies and business opportunities in the region.

Given the accelerated growth of migratory flows in recent years, Latin American companies have a great opportunity with the arrival of foreigners to become more competitive, Latin American companies have a great opportunity with the arrival of foreigners to become more competitive, expand their markets or create new businesses. expand their markets or create new businesses.

Ashoka doubled down and expanded its work to build more knowledge on migration issues. For this reason, in June they launched “Hola América”, an initiative that seeks to to strengthen the ecosystem and accelerate innovative projects that provide solutions to the challenges faced by migrant communities in Chile and Argentina.

Research shows that migration can have positive migration can have positive economic effects. For example, the World Bank estimated that a 3% increase in migration to developed countries between 2005 and 2025 would bring global gains of US$ 356 billion.

In fact, the ability of migrants to the ability of migrants to set up businesses (many opt for entrepreneurship as a way of establishing themselves in their new country ), generate jobs and contribute new knowledge The ability of migrants to create new businesses, with factors associated with fiscal contributions and increased consumption.

Properly focused, migration is a powerful force for change, embodied in diverse people embodied in people diverse in backgrounds, ideas and experiences. And those are the ingredients for innovation to happen.

Source: Why Migration is an Opportunity for Development (Forbes Argentina)