A pattern for global policy: Excursion into the causes and implications of migration (African/European perspectives).

Abstract

According to the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs, in 2010 there were 200 million international migrant workers and their families. This figure excludes over 15 million refugees, those whose movement across a border has been forced by fear of persecution or violence. Labour migration is not simply from developing to developed countries.  It is on record that some 60% of migrants live in developing countries. The number of African migrants attempting to enter Europe has increased remarkably during the past few years. For instance, in 2005, 22,939 illegal migrants were registered on the Italian Island of Lampedusa and between January and August, 2006, 14,567 newcomers arrived. Again in 2005, 11,781 African illegal migrants arrived at Spanish Canary Islands. Europe has therefore been perceived as immigrant continent.

The causes are conflicts, the slowdown in economic growth and significant unemployment in Africa. This immigration from African countries have come to be perceived as a burden and even a threat to economic growth, social coercion, cultural coherence and security of the West.

The purpose of this paper is to provoke discussions by exploring the causes and implications of migration in order to design more suitable migration policies in the 21^st century. It was found out that violence and poverty were usually considered the push factors of Africans migration to Europe. Also, restrictive policies, anti-immigrant public discourse and dehumanizing treatments that accompanied them contributed to the marginalization and emotional isolation  of African immigrants in Europe.

African governments are to explore avenues that could speed up  their  socio-economic, political and technological developments and must control illegal emigration from their continent. European protectionist and restricted trade policies must be regulated and international relations agreements, mutual calibrations and negotiations must be established between Europe and Africa