Recognizing that migrants returning to home countries doesn't
automatically result in positive development for their countries
unless a broad range of factors are in place to ensure success, the
second of IOM's International Dialogue on Migration (IDM) on return
migration this year will focus on policies and practical means to
try and enhance the benefits of this type of human mobility.

Government and diplomatic officials from IOM member and observer
states, international organizations,  the private sector and
other stakeholders including migrants, will gather in Geneva on
7-8th July to address an issue of increasing interest as countries
strive to find innovative ways of tapping into the migration
phenomenon as a means to help develop their economies.

The IDM, "Enhancing the Role of Return Migration in Fostering
Development" is the second of a two-tier look at the challenges and
opportunities of return migration and is aimed at exploring its
development impact.

Although every country in the world is a country of origin,
transit or destination for migrants to varying extents, and
remittances from international migration amounted to more than USD
300 billion last year, little is known about the scale of return
migration, making the evaluation of its contribution to the
development of a country or community complex and challenging.

Nevertheless, the IDM, which provides a forum for states and
other stakeholders in the migration realm to exchange views and
ideas to tackle pressing global migration issues, will explore
concrete ways to empower returnees in re-establishing their lives
in their home country and in contributing to its development such
as recognizing qualifications and skills, creating credible
investment environments and providing incentives. 

It will also look at what measures governments can implement to
enhance returns, whether they are permanent, temporary, actual or
virtual. These include options for dual nationalities, political
enfranchisement of diasporas and the portability of social security
and pension benefits.

Among the speakers, who include representatives from government
officials from different parts of the world, is returned Senegalese
migrant and architect, Abdou Mbengue Sene, who will share his
experiences with participants. 

Read further about his story here:

"http://www.iom.int/jahia/webdav/shared/shared/mainsite/microsites/IDM/workshops/return_migration_development_070708/migration_july08_38-39.pdf"
target="_blank" title="">Link

Next week's event at Geneva's International Conference Centre is
open to all media. For background papers and an agenda, please go
to: "http://www.iom.int/returndevelopment" target="" title=
"">http://www.iom.int/returndevelopment

For further information, please contact:

Philippe Boncour

IOM Geneva

Tel: +41 79 635 23 47

E-mail: "mailto:pboncour@iom.int">pboncour@iom.int