The Mexican government and IOM are co-hosting a meeting in Mexico
City of international experts from governments, civil society,
academia, and international organizations to discuss highly skilled
migration, the circulation of talent and mechanisms to motivate
diasporas to contribute to the development of their countries of
origin.

Government officials from Colombia, Chile, El Salvador, Ghana
and Nigeria are among those taking part in the two-day meeting
ending today. The gathering will analyze the impact of
globalization on qualified and highly qualified migration in
countries of origin and destination, the costs and benefits of this
migration for countries of origin, and the implication of the
feminization of migration on host and origin societies.

Also on the agenda is a session on policies and programmes to
promote qualified diaspora engagement in development projects in
their countries of origin, policies to facilitate the circulation
of talent for the benefit of all, and the risks and challenges
faced by migrants in the current global crisis.

According to IOM's World Migration Report 2008, engaging the
diaspora is a relatively low-cost means of capturing the tangible
return of knowledge, technology and capital from
expatriates. 

"Governments are increasingly recognizing the important role
that diasporas can play in the development of their countries of
origin.  IOM has hosted many meetings between diasporas living
in North America and Europe and officials of the countries of
origin, where frank exchanges of information have taken place,"
explains Juan Artola, IOM Chief of Mission in Mexico.

The first Global Forum on Migration and Development (GFMD), held
in Brussels in July 2007, confirmed that migrants who are socially
and economically protected and empowered are likely to bring the
greatest potential contributions to development back home and in
the host country.

Conclusions and recommendations of the meeting will be presented
to governments and civil society participating in the third Global
Forum on Migration and Development taking place in Athens, Greece
in November 2009.

For more information, please contact:

Juan Artola

IOM Mexico

Tel: +525 5 55 36 39 54

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