Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration

Definition

The Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration is a non-binding international agreement adopted by the United Nations in 2018 that aims to enhance cooperation on international migration. This compact provides a comprehensive framework to address the challenges and opportunities of migration, promoting safe and dignified migration practices while respecting human rights. In the context of African Diaspora migration patterns, it acknowledges the specific needs and rights of migrants, particularly those from Africa who often face various vulnerabilities during their migration journeys.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Global Compact includes 23 objectives aimed at improving the management of international migration in a holistic manner.
2. It emphasizes the need for international cooperation and shared responsibilities among countries to manage migration effectively.
3. The Compact is particularly relevant for African nations that experience high levels of emigration, transit, and immigration due to geographical proximity and historical ties.
4. It encourages countries to create pathways for regular migration while addressing the challenges faced by migrants, including human trafficking and exploitation.
5. By promoting dialogue among countries of origin, transit, and destination, the Global Compact seeks to enhance protection for migrants and improve their well-being.

Review Questions

• How does the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration address the specific challenges faced by African migrants?
  • The Global Compact recognizes that African migrants often encounter unique challenges such as lack of legal pathways, economic disparities, and social vulnerabilities. By emphasizing international cooperation and shared responsibilities, it aims to address these issues through targeted policies that promote safer migration routes and protect migrant rights. The Compact encourages African nations to work together in implementing strategies that consider the complex dynamics of migration within the continent.
• Discuss the implications of the Global Compact on national policies regarding irregular migration in African countries.
  • The Global Compact encourages African countries to rethink their approaches to irregular migration by emphasizing prevention, protection, and partnership. Countries are urged to adopt policies that not only deter irregular migration but also offer safe alternatives for migrants seeking better opportunities. This shift could lead to more humane treatment of migrants, reducing criminalization while fostering regional cooperation to address the root causes of irregular migration.
• Evaluate how the principles outlined in the Global Compact could transform regional dynamics of migration in the African Diaspora over the next decade.
  • The principles of the Global Compact have the potential to significantly reshape regional dynamics by promoting collaboration among African states to address migration issues collectively. If effectively implemented, these principles could lead to more structured and regulated migration flows, reducing instances of exploitation and human rights abuses. Over the next decade, this could foster greater economic integration within Africa, as improved legal pathways encourage migrants' contributions to their host countries while enhancing their safety and dignity throughout their journeys.

Related terms

Migration Governance: A set of policies, laws, and practices that governments implement to manage migration effectively while balancing national interests and human rights.

Refugee Convention: An international treaty that defines who is a refugee, their rights, and the legal obligations of states to protect them.

Irregular Migration: The movement of people in a way that violates a country’s immigration laws, often leading to exploitation and dangerous conditions.