Managing Migration for the Benefit of All
Moldova - Mobilizing the Diaspora’s resources to develop the country
14.04.2008
On April 10-11, 2008 the Policy Seminar entitled “Diaspora and Homeland Development” will take place in Chisinau. The event will be organized at the initiative of the International Organization for Migration, Mission to Moldova (IOM Moldova), within the project “Beyond Poverty Alleviation: Developing a Legal, Regulatory and Institutional Framework for Leveraging Migrant Remittances for Entrepreneurial Growth in Moldova”, which is implemented by IOM Moldova in partnership with the Ministry of Economy and Trade and the International Labour Organization (ILO). The project is funded by the European Commission through the AENEAS project with 794,665 EUR, and co-funded by the Italian Ministry of External Affairs with 198,666 EUR.
According to the latest figures, more than a quarter of Moldovan working people live out of the country, especially in Russia and Italy, which are the countries concentrating the largest part of Moldovan migrants. From 1999 on the number of migrants, as well as the amount of remittances, has constantly increased, without any clear indication of a possible diminution of this tendency before long. The challenges posed by these trends are numerous and have major implications on economic and social life in Moldova.
The event is meant to support the authorities of the Republic of Moldova in the process of elaborating a policy ensuring stronger, multidimensional and long-term relations between the Moldovan migrants and their homeland.
Thus the seminar will contribute to strengthen dialogue and create a common platform, aiming at initiating an innovative approach to assist the Government in encouraging and reinforcing the Diaspora’s implication in the economic development of the Republic of Moldova. Involving Moldovan migrants in the main destination countries is important, especially due to their role in generating pertinent ideas, information and knowledge for State policy in this area.
The value-added of this seminar comes from the participation of international experts from Serbia, Israel, IOM Geneva, as well as representatives of international organizations, Governmental agencies, academic institutions and associations of migrants.
Elaborating a communication strategy for the diaspora based on the conclusions and recommendations from the seminar will constitute another important part contributing to stronger relations between migrants and their homeland, to better access to information, as well as to the development and strengthening of diaspora’s capacities.
For additional information please contact: Rodica Okani, Media and Public Information Officer, IOM, Tel: 23 29 40, (ext.131), E-mail: rokani@iom.int; Web: www.iom.md
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