About the Migration Governance Indicators
About the Migration Governance Indicators
Migrants' rights
Migrants' rights
Indicators in this domain assess the extent to which migrants have the same status as citizens in terms of access to basic social services such as health, education, and social security. It also describes the rights of migrants to family reunification, to work, and to residency and citizenship. The ratification of the main international conventions is also included within this domain.
Indicators in this category look at the extent to which migrants have access to certain social services such as health, education and social security. They also examine measures to ensure integration and access to work.
Whole of government approach
Whole of government approach
Indicators in this domain assess countries’ institutional, legal, and regulatory frameworks related to migration policies. Domain 2 also reviews the existence of national migration strategies that are in-line with development, as well as institutional transparency and coherence in relation to migration management. This domain also investigates the extent to which governments collect and use migration data.
Indicators in this category assess the institutional frameworks of cities for migration. This area also examines the existence of migration strategies consistent with development objectives, as well as institutional transparency and coherence in migration management.
Partnerships
Partnerships
This domain focuses on countries’ efforts to cooperate on migration-related issues with other states and with relevant non-governmental actors, including civil society organizations and the private sector. Cooperation can lead to improvements in governance by aligning and raising standards, increasing dialogue and providing structures to overcome challenges.
Indicators in this category focus on cities’ efforts to cooperate on migration issues with the national government as well as other cities and relevant non-governmental actors, including civil society organizations and the private sector.
Well-being of migrants
Well-being of migrants
This domain includes indicators on countries’ policies for managing the socioeconomic well-being of migrants, through aspects such as the recognition of migrants’ educational and professional qualifications, provisions regulating student migration and the existence of bilateral labour agreements between countries. Indicators equally focus on policies and strategies related to diaspora engagement and migrant remittances.
Indicators in this category assess cities’ initiatives in terms of international student mobility, access to the labour market and decent working conditions for migrant workers. Aspects related to diaspora engagement and migrant remittances are also included in this domain.
Mobility dimensions of crises
Mobility dimensions of crises
This domain studies the type and level of preparedness of countries when they are faced with mobility dimensions of crises, linked to either disasters, the environment and/or conflict. The questions are used to identify the processes in place for nationals and non-nationals both during and after disasters, including whether humanitarian assistance is equally available to migrants as it is to citizens.
Indicators in this category examine the type and level of readiness of cities to deal with aspects of mobility crises. The questions focus on the processes in place for citizens and non-citizens both during and after disasters, especially if humanitarian assistance is available for migrants and citizens.
Safe, orderly and regular migration
Safe, orderly and regular migration
This domain analyses countries’ approach to migration management in terms of border control and enforcement policies, admission criteria for migrants, preparedness and resilience in the case of significant and unexpected migration flows, as well as the fight against trafficking in human beings and smuggling of migrants. It also assesses efforts and incentives to help integrate returning citizens.
Indicators in this category look at the cities’ approaches to migrant safety as well as return and reintegration policies and the fight against trafficking in persons.
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Key findings
INTRODUCTION
This snapshot provides examples of well-developed areas in the migration governance structures of the District of Medellín (Colombia) as well as other areas with potential for further development, as identified through the assessment of the six spheres of the Migration Governance Indicators (MGIs). These spheres include the rights of migrants, a comprehensive governance approach, partnerships, the socio-economic well-being of migrants, mobility in crisis situations, and safe, orderly, and regular migration.
Click on the icons in the wheel to explore the key findings.
The MGI Initiative is a migration policy analysis program led by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and implemented with support from Economist Impact, the economic research unit of The Economist magazine. It is funded by IOM member states.
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Key findings
MIGRANTS’ RIGHTS
Migration governance: Examples of well-developed areas
- Health care for the migrant population is included in the Medellin Future Development Plan 2020-2023 (2020), with special consideration for the reality experienced by this population.
- The Mayor's Office of Medellín has established in circulars that "the right to education must always be guaranteed for all children and adolescents", even in the presence of possible administrative barriers.
- The Territorial Partnerships for the Management of International Migration programme and the 123 Social Line - Migrant Module provide mechanisms to support foreigners in accessing the district's public services.
- Through the Special Group for Ethnic and Migrant Affairs of the Medellin Ombudsman’s Office, since 2020, services have been provided to monitor, assist, protect, defend, and guarantee the rights of migrants.
Areas with potential for further development:
- Although municipal subsidy policies for access to housing include the migrant population, there is no specific line for this population at the local level.
- The development of strategies to combat hate crimes, violence, xenophobia and discrimination against refugees and migrants is an area with potential for further development.
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Key findings
WHOLE-OF-GOVERNMENT APPROACH
Migration governance: Examples of well-developed areas
- The Department of Social Inclusion, Family and Human Rights is responsible for designing and implementing policies for populations sectors in Medellín, including the migrant population.
- Municipal officials in the metropolitan area of the Aburrá Valley receive training in cultural sensitivity and migration issues.
- The Mayor's Office of Medellín provides information on migrants' rights, responsibilities, and access to public services.
- The Medellín Centro Intégrate provides referral services to assist migrants in regularization processes, promotes access to social and employment programs, and provides orientation for women and the LGBTI population.
Areas with potential for further development:
- At the time of writing the report, the final steps are being taken to formulate a local migration policy.
- There is no formal body at the local level for consulting civil society and the migrant population in the implementation of public policies.
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Key findings
PARTNERSHIPS
Migration governance: Examples of well-developed areas
- In 2021 and 2022, the Mayor's Office of Medellin has linked the academic sector as a key actor in the first phase of institutional construction of the Public Policy for Migration Management.
- Medellin is part of two international networks for the exchange of knowledge about migration: the Euro-Latin American Alliance for Cooperation between Cities and Mercociudades.
- Medellin actively collaborates on migration issues with the United Nations and international cooperation agencies through the Antioquia Interagency Group for Mixed Migration Flows.
Areas with potential for further development:
- The Mayor's Office of Medellin collaborates on an ad hoc basis with the private sector and social partners in the implementation of strategies and programs related to migration.
- The government collaborates on an ad hoc basis with migrant associations in setting the local policy agenda.
- The development of bilateral programs for cooperation on migration issues between cities in the same country and at the international level is an area with potential for further development.
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Key findings
WELL-BEING OF MIGRANTS
Migration governance: Examples of well-developed areas
- The Mayor's Office of Medellin implements measures to promote gender equality in the workforce for the general population, including migrants.
- The Subcommittee on Migrant and Refugee Women trains public officials on regulations, rights, and routes for attention and protection, analyzes these routes and follows up on their implementation.
- At the local level, national guidelines are implemented to promote and facilitate the inclusion of migrants in the labor force.
- The Mayor's Office of Medellin has programs to support foreigners engaged in entrepreneurship.
Areas with potential for further development:
- There are no local-level assessments to monitor labor supply and the effects of immigration and emigration on the labor market.
- Although local measures have been developed to promote the employability of migrants, such as the organization of job fairs, there is no strategy to attract migrant workers according to labour market needs.
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Key findings
MOBILITY DIMENSION OF CRISES
Migration governance: Examples of well-developed areas
- The Municipal Disaster Risk Management Plan of Medellin, Antioquia 2015–2030 (2017) is the localinstrument promoting the city’s territorial development and risk management, in coordination with theDevelopment Plan and the Land Management Plan.
- The Disaster Risk Management Plan and the Municipal Emergency Response Strategy, adopted in 2015, set forth specific provisions to reduce the social impact of the massive mobilization of people as a result of risks or in an emergency or disaster.
- The Mayor's Office of Medellín has communication systems in place to receive and provide information on crisis developments.
- Medellin has direct agreements with Consulates when emergencies arise with its nationals.
- The Mayor's Office of Medellín has a gender-sensitive emergency response strategy.
Areas with potential for further development:
- The Municipal Disaster Risk Management Plan does not refer to the specific needs of displaced persons, refugees or migrants.
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Key findings
SAFE, ORDERLY AND REGULAR MIGRATION
Migration governance: Examples of well-developed areas
- The Mayor's Office of Medellin has specific mechanisms to guarantee migrants' access to justice, including public security.
- The Antioquia and Medellin Territorial Anti-trafficking in Persons Committee aims, inter alia, to trigger local action and venues for the prevention, investigation, and prosecution of the crime of trafficking in persons, and for the protection and assistance of victims.
- The Antioquia and Medellin Territorial Anti-trafficking in Persons Committee developed theTerritorial Action Plan 2021–2024 with technical advice from the Ministry of the Interior. The Plan addresses the action lines and approaches of the National Anti-trafficking in Persons Strategy (2016).
Areas with potential for further development:
- While activities exist to promote the reintegration of migrants, the Mayor’s Office does not have a formal programme focused on facilitating reintegration.
- Local authorities have only developed ad hoc measures to combat the labor exploitation of refugees and migrants.
2022 September
