People are on the move, building an intricate net of global and social interdependencies across borders as a result of globalization. According to the UN Population Division, in 2005, 191 million people, representing 3 per cent of the world's population, were living outside their countries of origin-a significant shift compared to 75 million in 1960. In his 2002 report, "Strengthening the United Nations: an agenda for further change", Secretary-General Kofi Annan characterized international migration as one of the main issues on which the Organization had to deepen its knowledge, sharpen its focus and act more effectively.
Not only has the number of international migrants more than doubled in the past 45 years, but irregular migration flows across international borders have also rapidly increased. The International Organization for Migration (IOM) stated that irregular migration "occurs outside the rules and procedures guiding the orderly international movement of people". Its estimates for the undocumented migrant population in Europe vary between 3 million and 8 million.

These Ethiopians arrive at dawn on the outskirts of Bossaso, Puntland's busy port, take off through the desert to evade a checkpoint and sneak into town in search of work or an illegal sea voyage. UNHCR PHOTO/k. mckinsey

Although Governments often cannot collect accurate figures on irregular migrants, there are clear facts concerning some countries of entry in Europe. IOM data reveal that more than 27,000 people arrived in the Canary Islands (Spain) as irregular immigrants between January and October 2006, while Lampedusa (Italy) had more than 17,000 undocumented immigrants. The other key destinations are the United Kingdom, Germany, the Netherlands and France. It is estimated that the United Kingdom is host to about 500,000 irregulars.

For developing countries, wellness and prosperity represent a dream that is often inaccessible. The migration phenomenon usually involves people who are looking to escape the poorest and most remote parts of the world (with the hope of starting a new life in a country that will offer them better economic and social opportunities) political refugees in search of asylum and refugees fleeing violence and conflicts. However, opportunities for legal migration are usually limited due to the introduction of restrictive policies and the reluctance of host Governments to admit unskilled migrants.

Illegal private networks play a substantial role as intermediary channels between the migrant and the host country, and are especially instrumental in the choice of an ultimate destination. These networks are based upon personal relationships between migrants and relatives, acquaintances, neighbours and friends. These links may often lead to ill-advised decisions, caused, among other reasons, by exaggerated reports that attract migrants with false hopes. In trying to enter a foreign country, it is exceedingly difficult for migrants to overcome the vigilant inspection placed at the point of entry. In order to avoid border scrutiny, some resort to organized networks, often becoming victims and searching for "migration helpers" or so-called smugglers, who are better known as criminal traffickers.

Illegal immigrants are generally lured into the scheme of smuggling, unaware that it can often turn into human trafficking. Slavery, exploitation and violations of human rights are also involved. According to Jacqueline Bhabha, Executive Director of the University Committee on Human Rights at Harvard University, it is estimated that some 800,000 people are smuggled every year across borders worldwide. Most irregular labour migration involves men, but women and adolescents are more vulnerable to human trafficking and are often subject to rape and sexual exploitation.

Smuggling networks may adopt dishonest approaches focused on immediate gains, instead of completing the transaction to the migrant's satisfaction. Promised services are left unfulfilled and clients are misled through false advertisements and offers. For example, there had been reports of transit migrants in West Africa who were left in the wilderness by smugglers, either taken in small boats to the Canary Islands and then tossed into the sea, or deprived of their money and belongings and left stranded in the middle of the desert. In some cases, smugglers abandon people because of fear of being caught by border police.

In October 2005, more than 200 undocumented migrants from Mali were stranded in Morocco, but later rescued by IOM and brought safely back home. IOM spokesman Jean Philippe Chauzy, who interviewed some of them, said that migrants are frequently unaware of the facts and risks concerning travel conditions. The precarious situations they will face in the destination country are often not enough reason to dissuade them from pursuing their dreams. One of the rescued migrants recounted that they were abandoned in the desert by smugglers and robbed of all their belongings, including their savings. Thanks to the aid and generosity of some local shepherds, who gave them water and food, they managed to survive. Once these people lose hope and optimism, including their savings, their only wish is to go back home safely. For this reason, none of the Malian migrants had any hesitation in signing a declaration of voluntary return. One stranded interviewee said that he had been selling second-hand clothes on the streets for three years to save some money, hoping to migrate to France, but he is now returning back to Mali with just 5 francs in his pocket. A very depressing reality is that many of these migrants had been saving money for a long time to rebuild their lives in a place that could offer them more security.

Mamadou Diakite, who works for a non-governmental organization that provides assistance to stranded migrants in Morocco, knows that they have been hurt either physically or psychologically by this experience and are somehow ashamed to go back home with nothing. He believes that the only solution to stop this problem is to invest in these people and help them achieve their dreams. People must be convinced that they have a future in their home countries, and action must be taken to remove the root causes of refugee and migratory movements in these countries, such as persecution, armed conflict, poverty and inequality. Over the past few years, many tragedies have persuaded the international community to intensify the fight against the smuggling of illegal migrants. In 2000, for instance, 58 Chinese irregular migrants were found suffocated to death in a truck in the English port of Dover as they were being smuggled into the United Kingdom. Since the late 1980s, Chinese smugglers or "snakeheads" have guided tens of thousands of undocumented immigrants into other countries.

The United Nations has developed a comprehensive set of international norms and instruments related to the prevention of smuggling and trafficking and the protection of refugees. In 2000, the General Assembly adopted the UN Convention against Transnational Organized Crime-a legally binding instrument that entered into force on 29 September 2003-with supplementing Protocols to tackle specific areas of concern. The Protocol against the Smuggling of Migrants by Land, Air and Sea, signed in December 2000 in Palermo, Italy, aims to prevent and combat the smuggling of migrants and promote cooperation and the exchange of information among State Parties. It includes appropriate measures and actions needed, among others, to strengthen the criminalization of smuggling by clarifying the nature of the crime and establishing stronger and more consistent penalties across borders. The Protocol's ratification obliges Member States to reinforce their national legislation in combating the illegal shipment of human cargo, in particular with regard to the promotion of international law enforcement cooperation.

These international initiatives do not convey anti-immigrant or anti-migration perspectives. On the contrary, they discourage organized crime and human exploitation, while acknowledging the importance of movements across borders. International migration is a vital part of today's globalized existence as it can play a key role in development and poverty reduction. However, to enhance these objectives, it is necessary to develop an intertwined international strategy among countries all over the world. On 14 and 15 September 2006, the General Assembly held a High-Level Dialogue on Migration and Development, where Secretary-General Kofi Annan acknowledged the firm determination of States "to tackle migration's challenges through dialogue and cooperation, rather than antagonism and isolation". He also proposed the creation of a global forum, which will meet for the first time in 2007 in Belgium, where countries will discuss and exchange their best ideas and practices on migration-related issues.

A well-managed international migration policy, however, is not always enough. In order to reduce illegal movements across borders, it is also necessary to address future and potential migrants. For this purpose, several campaigns have taken place in countries that experience high levels of irregular migration. In July 2006, Albania launched the "Safe Migration is a Choice and an Opportunity" campaign, to demonstrate how people can easily retrieve information on regular channels. It aims to avoid dangers and risks associated with irregular movements, such as deportation and trafficking. In September, IOM launched a similar programme in Afghanistan to raise awareness of the abuses related to illegal migration networks among potential migrants. Both campaigns use information tools, such as television and radio announcements, documentaries, leaflets and posters, make available telephone hotlines and set up information centres. As it is acknowledged that often the problem lies in ignorance among aspiring migrants about the danger of travelling abroad, it is crucial to integrate efficient migration policies with initiatives that will sensitize people to the use of regular channels.