PROGRESSIVE MIGRATION GROUP RECOMMENDATIONS TO EUROPEAN AND AFRICAN LAWMAKERS August 2024 A DEVELOPMENT-ORIENTED AND RIGHTS-BASED APPROACH TO MIGRATION Migration is a major driver of development and prosperity. According to the World Bank, international remittances to low­and middle-income countries worldwide reached$656 billion in 2023 – more than direct foreign investment and far more than official development assistance to those countries. However, remittances are only one of the development benefits that migration brings. The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development also recognises migration as a powerful driver of sustainable development because migration benefits not only migrants and host countries, but also their communities – through social, technological and skills transfers, as well as through investment and cultural diversity. The Global Com ­pact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration aligns with the 2030 Agenda by emphasising the multi-dimensional nature of migration and the need for a comprehensive approach to it that involves all policy areas. In practice, however, the deve ­lopment potential of migration is insufficiently exploited. This is also true of European migration policy, which focuses primarily on preventing irregular migration. The Progressive Migration Group finds no contradiction between managing migration and promoting development through migration, as they can be combined to meet the people’s interests in both Europe and Africa. The Progressive Migration Group therefore calls for a development-oriented and rights-based approach to EU migration policy. This will foster sustainable development, reduce poverty and support families in coun ­tries of origin, recognising the crucial role migrants and diaspora communities play in the economic, cultural and social development of European societies by contributing to their diversity, resilience and prosperity. MIGRATION INTO DEVELOPMENT POLICIES AND VICE VERSA Migration must be considered a fundamental compo­nent of EU development policy because the economic, social and cultural contributions of the diaspora com­munity(e.g. remittances, and the transfer of skills and knowledge) play a vital role in the development of their country of origin. The impact of migrants should therefore be consistently included in development pro­grammes and debates, with the mutual benefits for host communities and countries of origin being highlighted. These benefits should also be promoted in migration policies(e.g. promoting skills development program ­mes in migration partnerships). 2. SHIFT THE NARRATIVE ON MIGRATION Efforts should be made to change the dominant narra­tive that portrays migration, particularly irregular migration and migrants, as a threat. A negative narrative is detrimental to migrants’ rights. It also runs counter to the vital role that migrants play in helping meet the current and future economic and demographic needs of European societies. Furthermore, it risks undermining the EU’s capacity to attract and maintain low-, medium­and high-skilled workers from third countries. A change in narrative can be brought about by fighting disinfor ­mation while disseminating accurate information about the benefits of well-managed migration(e.g. economic prosperity, cultural diversity, societal resilience and inno­vation). Such emphasis does not need to be one-sided, but it needs to stay factual, showing the broader picture, instead of focusing solely on the challenging aspects of migration. A viable approach would be to broaden the debate, or anti-rumour action, by working with local com­munities to support local initiatives that promote factual positive stories of migrants. 3. ENHANCE DIALOGUE AND PARTNERSHIP Dialogue and diplomacy are, therefore, essential tools for the co-development of migration policies with Afri­can partner countries, reflecting shared responsibilities and benefits. However, governments often have a narrow perspective and understanding of the challenges and needs of local communities and refugee populations.