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Meeting the challenges of international migration

LAU Institute for Migration Studies examines global migration governance

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The seminar was made available on the Beirut campus through videoconferencing.

LAU’s Department of Social Sciences, in collaboration with the university’s Institute for Migration Studies, hosted a seminar entitled “Global Migration Governance in Theory and Practice” by guest lecturer Paul Tacon. The event was held on International Migrants Day, December 18.

Tacon has been working on international migration issues with the International Organization for Migration in Geneva and currently with the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia, in Beirut. His work has led him to focus on the relationship between international migration and development, and the steps countries can take to maximize the positive development gains from international migration.

At the lecture, the expert spoke in great detail on the emergence of global governance and how this relates to international migration. He also touched upon the reality of migration governance, the challenges it creates for the hosting state and why many nations don’t consider it to be in their interest but rather see it as an economic and cultural threat. He went on to explain the power relations between states of origin or those of destination. 

Tacon stressed on the need for useful dialogue between governments, relevant organizations of the United Nations system, regional organizations and development partners. “It is important to exchange views and share information on good policies and practices for mainstreaming social inclusion into social and economic policies at the national, regional and international levels aimed at achieving equity, equality, social inclusion, protection and cohesion, as well as recognizing existing efforts in this regard,” he said.

The seminar concluded by taking a look at the evolution of global migration governance from its beginnings in 1648, when peace treaties ended the Thirty Years’ War and the Eighty Years’ War between Spain and the Dutch Republic.

“I found the seminar very informative and rich in data,” said political science and international affairs student, Ziad Kiblawi.

A lively discussion, moderated by Dr. Tamirace Fakhoury, assistant professor of political science, on capacity building and the how migration contributes to the economy followed the seminar.

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