Family, migration and dignity

Explored how international migration affects families, in particular women and children, and how family functions in the context of migration can be strengthened by good governance policies/practices.

The Doha Symposium was an opportunity for key actors and researchers to come together to address this crucial theme from a comprehensive multidisciplinary approach and with a practical intent to identify lessons for migration policy and practice.

It provided an occasion for key practitioners and agencies to identify issues and challenges across the board, and to consider comprehensive and integrated approaches to the complex policy and practical challenges of migration and family.

Symposium Objectives:
1. Document and assess consequences of contemporary migration on:

• Migrant families and children in destination countries
• Families in origin countries affected by migration
• Children remaining at home when one or both parents emigrate
• Family structure, role and functions in communities of large emigration

2. Identify measures to strengthen family relations and support, including when families are separated, migrating together, or being reunited, due to conditions and restrictions inherent in contemporary migration. These included:

• Remittance utilization.
• Maintaining family contact.
• Support to parent substitutes.
• Family reunification.
• Schooling measures.
• Addressing the risk of child labour.
• Recognition of diplomas.
• Training and employment.

3. Identify and elaborate on concrete recommendations regarding specific social services, community support, and policy interventions to support: family integrity; right to family life, child welfare and protection, prevention of child labour among migrants and their families, education and training, youth preparation for employment, and family reunification

Participation
Participation emphasized and reflected perspectives and experiences from the different world regions, with equitable geographical participation among experts and the participation of international agencies.

Click here for agenda

Click here for the Proceedings