“Families and Migration” side event of the 60th Commission for Social Development (CSocD60), 9 February 2022
Migration is one of the mega trends impacting families worldwide. In 2022, the Focal Point on the Family, Division for Inclusive Social Development focuses on migration and urbanization trends as part of the preparations for the upcoming thirtieth anniversary of the International Year of the Family, 2024 (IYF+30).
The side event of the Commission for Social Development is to address current migration trends and their impact on families. In line with the priority theme of the Commission, “Inclusive and resilient recovery from COVID-19 for sustainable livelihoods, well-being and dignity for all: eradicating poverty and hunger in all its forms and dimensions to achieve the 2030 Agenda”, the event will also address migration and its role in poverty reduction and its contributions to the achievement of the relevant Sustainable Development Goals.
We are witnessing the deepening process of globalization, characterized by increased mobility and migration. Family members migrate in search of better economic and educational opportunities ensuring better lives for the families they leave behind. Families mostly benefit economically from the new opportunities but may become fragmented in the countries of origin and marginalized in the countries of destination.
Although mobility between locations is mostly seen as an individual decision, in fact, mobility within a country and migration abroad is entrenched in family practices and decision-making. Many migrants are motivated by a sense of family obligation to contribute to family wellbeing and improve their economic situation. Often, families designate a particular family member, with most chances to succeed, to migrate with an expectation of his or her contribution to family left behind.
It is not only economic hardship and desire to improve economic circumstances that cause migration. Civil strife and conflict cause large flows of individuals from low-income to high- income countries as well, often leading to growing hostilities between native born individuals and migrants, creating political tensions and restrictive policy responses. Policies and laws preventing migrants from having family members reside or even visit have become common in many countries, resulting in fragmented households, exacerbating inequalities and highlighting interdependency between individuals and families.
Agenda 2030 features migration under SDG10, target 10.7 “ to facilitate orderly, safe, regular and responsible migration and mobility of people, including through the implementation of planned and well-managed migration policies. Some of the other SDG targets note specific types of migration, including, labour migration (8.7 and 8.8), international student mobility (4.b), human trafficking (5.2, 8.7 and 16.2), remittances (10.c), and migration data (17.18).
As migration-related issues are visible throughout the SDGs, the importance of support for migrants and their families through effective policies grows and deserves further attention.