Over 500 billion dollars: that is the estimated amount migrants will send in remittances to their countries of origin in 2016. A figure that testifies to the strong economic impact of remittances on the global economy and shows that migration is also a development instrument for the countries of origin.
The relationship between migration, development and the diaspora is the focus of an international workshop entitled “Integrating Migration into Development: Diaspora as a Development Enabler” taking place at the Farnesina, in Rome, on 2-3 October 2014. The event is the result of collaboration between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) under the aegis of the Italian Presidency of the Council of the European Union. Participants include representatives of European, Middle Eastern and African governments and experts in migration and development matters.
Proceedings will be opened by the Secretary General of the Farnesina, Ambassador Michele Valensise. Speakers include the Director General of the IOM, William Lacy Swing; the United Nations Special Representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG) for International Migration and Development, Peter Sutherland; and Nichi Vendola, as Chair of the European Union’s Committee of the Regions.