International Migrants Day
ISLAMABAD
The International Centre for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD) in collaboration with Ministry of Overseas Pakistan & Human Resource Development (MOPHRD) and the German Development Agency (GIZ) organized a national conference on “Building a Global Future: Recognition of Migrants’ Qualifications and Skills” to mark the International Migrants Day.
The even brought together a diverse a range of over 60 stakeholders, including the government officials, policymakers, academia, diplomats, international organizations and civil society representatives.
This collaborative effort sparked dialogues leading to ensuring equitable recognition of migrants’ qualifications and skills across various sectors.
The day serves as a global platform to recognize, and celebrate the contributions of migrants to societies worldwide. This year’s theme, “Building a Global Future: Recognition of Migrants’ Qualifications and Skills” has been selected by ICMPD and GIZ, considering the shared goals and priorities of the Government of Pakistan.
The discussion focused on promoting the export of skilled labour, meeting the skilled labour needs of destination countries, and addressing migrants’ aspirations for skill recognition. The event also explored challenges migrants face in global skill recognition and proposed viable solutions.
Raana Rahim, Head of Office/ Country Coordinator ICMPD, Pakistan in her opening remarks stated the importance of skills partnerships can contribute to effective tapping of the potential of migrants.
Such partnerships can be an innovative mechanism for maximizing brain gain, or the knowledge and skills of migrants, both in origin and destination countries. Speaking about the day, she emphasized the importance of protecting and promoting the rights of migrants as it serves as a reminder to uphold the principles of equality, non-discrimination, and the right to a dignified life for all individuals, regardless of their migration status.
Romina Kochius, Coordinator Sustainable Economic Development, Training and Development, GIZ, emphasized the critical role of sustainable economic development in supporting migrant communities during her welcome remarks on the International Migrants Day event.
She highlighted the necessity of comprehensive training programs to empower migrants with essential skills for integration.
Furthermore, Kochius underscored GIZ’s commitment to fostering talent partnerships, recognizing the diverse skills migrants bring, and collaborating with stakeholders to create an inclusive environment. This integrated approach aims not only to address challenges faced by migrants but also contribute to their successful socio-economic integration.
Joint Secretary Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development Mr Aurangzeb, highlighted the presence of all relevant authorities and stakeholders at the event as a testament of their commitment towards promoting safe and dignified migration from Pakistan.
Highlighting the importance of migrants’ contributions to the societies, he stated that migrants are not mere statistics, they are architects of change.
It is essential to acknowledge and appreciate the wealth of experience, knowledge, and skills that migrants bring to both their host and home countries. The path forward involves the establishment and adoption of international standards for recognizing qualifications and skills. Bilateral and multilateral cooperation is not an option but a necessity, ensuring a fair and transparent system that benefits both migrants and host communities.
Michaelle Nintcheu, Researcher from the Institute of German Economy delivered a comprehensive presentation on the key features of Germany’s Skilled Immigration Act underscoring the significance of policies that promote skilled immigration, fostering economic growth and global collaboration. She explained different aspects of the legislation. The presentation provided a comprehensive understanding of the measures aimed at attracting and integrating skilled professionals into Germany.
