On 20 November 2012, the programme Regional Economic Cooperation and Integration (RCI) in Asia of Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH convened a workshop on “Social Implications of Economic Integration” in Vientiane, Lao PDR. This document summarise thepurpose, main themes and results of this event.
On 16 October 2013, the programme “Regional Economic Cooperation and Integration (RCI) in Asia” of Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH in collaboration with the International Organization for Migration (IOM) convened a workshop on “Social Implications of Economic Integration: Managing Cross-Border Labour Migration on a Regional Scale” in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. The workshop aimed to address the demand for capacity development and deepened dialogue between relevant line ministries and key stakeholders engaged in labour migration related issues in Cambodia. This report summarises the purpose, main themes and results of this event.
Quarterly newsletter with information on economic cooperation and integration in Asia from the GIZ programme Regional Economic Cooperation and Integration in Asia (RCI). In our newsletter we share information about our programme activities, and further input on the programme’s focus areas such as regionalism, trade facilitation and port cooperation in Asia.
This document provides recommendations for evolving Afghanistan's emigration system based on a review of emigration processes in other countries. Key recommendations include:
1. Establishing a Cabinet Committee on Emigration and Steering Committee on Emigration System to oversee the new system.
2. Implementing a registration process for direct, group, and indirect emigrants utilizing an Emigration Registration Card.
3. Developing licensing procedures for Private Overseas Work Promoters including requirements for issuing new and renewing licenses.
4. Establishing codes of conduct, service charges, and a process for appointing labor attachés to protect migrant workers.
The recommendations aim to better manage international migration and facilitate employment opportunities
This document presents the results of a statistical analysis of the relationship between migration and development in developing countries. It finds that there is no significant relationship between labor migration and GDP growth rates, but there is a strong negative relationship between labor migration and poverty levels. When controlling for education, net migration, and unemployment, about 63% of the variation in poverty can be explained by labor migration. While migration may decrease the labor force, remittances sent home can contribute to reducing poverty.
This newsletter features an article on worker migration from South Asia. Other articles are on the topics of domestic work in India and affordable transportation for the poor.
This document summarizes the challenges American companies face regarding organizational culture when operating in Serbia. It discusses Hofstede's model of national cultural dimensions and how Serbian and US cultures differ based on this framework. Specifically, Serbian culture scores higher in power distance and uncertainty avoidance, while the US scores higher in individualism. The paper also examines types of organizational culture and notes that hierarchies are most common in Serbian companies, while adhocracy cultures are rare. Finally, it emphasizes the importance of understanding these cultural differences to help American businesses adjust their practices when operating abroad in Serbia.
This document discusses the changing nature of work due to rapid technological progress. While technology provides opportunities to boost growth, there are also fears that it could displace human labor and worsen inequality. Historically, new technologies have eliminated some jobs but also created new ones. However, many argue current technologies may be different in that they can perform tasks previously thought to require human skills and judgment. The impact of technology on work will vary across regions depending on factors like demographics, trade patterns, informality, and policies. Appropriate responses are needed to maximize opportunities and address risks and challenges.
Ethnic Entrepreneurship – Case study: Stuttgart, GermanyThink Ethnic
This document provides information about ethnic entrepreneurship in Stuttgart, Germany. It begins with background on the CLIP network, which brings together over 30 European cities to share best practices on local integration policies. The document then provides the following information about Stuttgart:
1) Stuttgart has a population of around 600,000 people, with 39% having a migration background from over 170 countries. The largest migrant groups come from former Yugoslavia, Turkey, Italy, Greece, and Poland.
2) Stuttgart has a strong industrial economy focused on automotive, mechanical, and electrical engineering. While industry still plays a large role, the service sector now employs 79% of residents compared to 20% in manufacturing.
3) The document
On 16 October 2013, the programme “Regional Economic Cooperation and Integration (RCI) in Asia” of Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH in collaboration with the International Organization for Migration (IOM) convened a workshop on “Social Implications of Economic Integration: Managing Cross-Border Labour Migration on a Regional Scale” in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. The workshop aimed to address the demand for capacity development and deepened dialogue between relevant line ministries and key stakeholders engaged in labour migration related issues in Cambodia. This report summarises the purpose, main themes and results of this event.
Quarterly newsletter with information on economic cooperation and integration in Asia from the GIZ programme Regional Economic Cooperation and Integration in Asia (RCI). In our newsletter we share information about our programme activities, and further input on the programme’s focus areas such as regionalism, trade facilitation and port cooperation in Asia.
This document provides recommendations for evolving Afghanistan's emigration system based on a review of emigration processes in other countries. Key recommendations include:
1. Establishing a Cabinet Committee on Emigration and Steering Committee on Emigration System to oversee the new system.
2. Implementing a registration process for direct, group, and indirect emigrants utilizing an Emigration Registration Card.
3. Developing licensing procedures for Private Overseas Work Promoters including requirements for issuing new and renewing licenses.
4. Establishing codes of conduct, service charges, and a process for appointing labor attachés to protect migrant workers.
The recommendations aim to better manage international migration and facilitate employment opportunities
This document presents the results of a statistical analysis of the relationship between migration and development in developing countries. It finds that there is no significant relationship between labor migration and GDP growth rates, but there is a strong negative relationship between labor migration and poverty levels. When controlling for education, net migration, and unemployment, about 63% of the variation in poverty can be explained by labor migration. While migration may decrease the labor force, remittances sent home can contribute to reducing poverty.
This newsletter features an article on worker migration from South Asia. Other articles are on the topics of domestic work in India and affordable transportation for the poor.
This document summarizes the challenges American companies face regarding organizational culture when operating in Serbia. It discusses Hofstede's model of national cultural dimensions and how Serbian and US cultures differ based on this framework. Specifically, Serbian culture scores higher in power distance and uncertainty avoidance, while the US scores higher in individualism. The paper also examines types of organizational culture and notes that hierarchies are most common in Serbian companies, while adhocracy cultures are rare. Finally, it emphasizes the importance of understanding these cultural differences to help American businesses adjust their practices when operating abroad in Serbia.
This document discusses the changing nature of work due to rapid technological progress. While technology provides opportunities to boost growth, there are also fears that it could displace human labor and worsen inequality. Historically, new technologies have eliminated some jobs but also created new ones. However, many argue current technologies may be different in that they can perform tasks previously thought to require human skills and judgment. The impact of technology on work will vary across regions depending on factors like demographics, trade patterns, informality, and policies. Appropriate responses are needed to maximize opportunities and address risks and challenges.
Ethnic Entrepreneurship – Case study: Stuttgart, GermanyThink Ethnic
This document provides information about ethnic entrepreneurship in Stuttgart, Germany. It begins with background on the CLIP network, which brings together over 30 European cities to share best practices on local integration policies. The document then provides the following information about Stuttgart:
1) Stuttgart has a population of around 600,000 people, with 39% having a migration background from over 170 countries. The largest migrant groups come from former Yugoslavia, Turkey, Italy, Greece, and Poland.
2) Stuttgart has a strong industrial economy focused on automotive, mechanical, and electrical engineering. While industry still plays a large role, the service sector now employs 79% of residents compared to 20% in manufacturing.
3) The document
This research study into the “Cost of Youth Emigration” is the first of its kind to provide evidence about Serbian emigration.
Three key questions that the analysis is trying to answer are:
1. What are the average higher education expenses for people?
2. What is the opportunity cost in terms of potential GDP growth generated by the annual populace emigration?
3. Are there positive effects from the migration flow on the economy of Serbia and, if so, what are they?
The document discusses the effects of labour migration from India. It outlines both optimistic and pessimistic views on the impacts of migration. The optimistic view is that migration reduces poverty in source areas by shifting workers to higher income destinations and remittances support households. However, the pessimistic view is that migration reduces income in source areas as productive workers leave and remittances only partially compensate. The true impacts are likely complex, with both positive and negative effects depending on the context.
The paper shows that the question that is relevant for the debate on the efficacy of development assistance is not so much as an issue of how much, but rather for what. In view of the growing awareness of ODA’s inefficiency in achieving intended aims, this paper proposes an alternative approach to development assistance policies – economic integration and subsidiarity provides the conditions necessary for ODA to produce higher rates of economic growth on a sustainable basis. Europe is an excellent case in point, in this context. Europe has in the last decades experienced a number of success stories in moving out of poverty and onto sustainable economic growth. The secret of success has been the push towards economic integration, and the adoption of economic reforms at the local, national, and regional level conducive to economic growth. The recipient countries of development assistance have much to learn from the European experience.
1) The document summarizes research on the role of human capital in different types of regions, including urban, rural, peripheral, and cross-border regions.
2) Two papers examined how human capital mobility impacts local employment in Danish municipalities, finding that in-migrants and in-commuters generally complement the local workforce except in some cases where they substitute medium-skilled locals.
3) A second paper analyzed the spatial mobility and early career outcomes of university graduates in Denmark, finding benefits to mobility for academic but not professional graduates.
4) The research also developed a model of "Cross-Border Institutional Thickness" to examine institutional cooperation and human capital creation in Danish-German border regions.
Viewing the Chinese economy as a speeding car, there are three types of development that could crash the car: (1) a hardware failure, which is the breakdown of an economic mechanism (analogous to the collapse of the chassis of the car), e.g. a banking crisis; (2) a software failure, which is a flaw in governance that creates social disorders (analogous to a fight among the people inside the car), e.g. the state not being able to meet the rising social expectations about its performance because many of the key regulatory institutions are absent or ineffective; and (3) a power supply failure, which is the loss of economic viability (analogous to the car running out of gas or having its ignition key pulled out) e.g. an environmental collapse or an export collapse.
The fact that China has recently declared that its most important task is to build a Harmonious Society (described as a democratic society under the rule of law and living in harmony with nature) suggests that improvements in governance and protection of the environment are among the most serious challenges to achieving sustainable development. The greatest inadequacy of the Harmonious Society vision is the absence of an objective to build a harmonious world because a harmonious society cannot endure in China unless there is also a harmonious world, and vice-versa. The large amount of structural adjustments in the developed countries generated by rapid globalization and technological innovations has made the international atmosphere ripe for trade protectionism; and environmental degradation has made conflict over the global environmental commons more likely. China's quest for a harmonious society requires it to help provide global public goods, particularly the strengthening of the multilateral free trade system, and the protection of the global environmental commons. Specifically, China should work actively for the success of the Doha Round and for an international research consortium to develop clean coal technology.
Authored by: Wing Thye Woo
Published in 2007
From 15 to16 November 2012, the GIZ programme Regional Economic Cooperation and Integration (RCI) in Asia convened an international expert hearing on “Cross-border Coop-eration and Trade Facilitation in Asia” in Bangkok, Thailand. The following pages summarise the purpose, themes and results of this event. Detailed information including the content of lectures and discussions can be retrieved from the respective summaries.
This document summarizes a seminar organized by the UN on participatory governance in North African countries. It provides background on recent uprisings in the region and citizens' demands for greater transparency, accountability, and participation in policymaking. The seminar discussed challenges and opportunities for more participatory approaches and institutions. Key questions addressed how to effectively address social and political demands through public strategies and policies for open participation. Participants discussed whether conventional political institutions could meet these demands or if new participatory institutions were needed. They also considered actions like legal reforms, capacity building, and training to enhance public governance and development. Economic and social councils and similar multi-stakeholder institutions were presented as a framework to complement other institutions like parliaments and
Istanbul 19-20-june-2014 -plenary-panel-2-development-cooperation-with-the-ld...Dr Lendy Spires
This document provides background and outlines objectives for a panel discussion on development cooperation with Least Developed Countries (LDCs). It notes that LDCs face long-term challenges and were designated by the UN to receive targeted assistance. The most recent framework is the 2011 Istanbul Programme of Action, which emphasizes productive capacity, infrastructure, and structural transformation in LDCs. While traditional donors have decreased aid to economic sectors important for LDCs, South-South cooperation and emerging players prioritize these sectors and bring relevant experiences and technologies from their own recent development. The panel will discuss how cooperation can better align with the Istanbul Programme and identify effective approaches, including triangular cooperation and multilateral initiatives.
This document provides a summary of the World of Work Report 2012 published by the International Institute for Labour Studies. It outlines that the global jobs crisis has entered a new structural phase as labour markets have not fully recovered from the 2008 crisis. It argues that austerity policies in advanced economies, primarily Europe, have led to a worsening of the situation and have failed to stimulate growth or job creation. However, it notes that alternative approaches exist that could promote employment while meeting fiscal goals through measures like strengthening labour market institutions, restoring credit to small businesses, and shifting fiscal policy.
Remittances in Moldova reach 36% of GDP, hence they constitute an essential part of the Moldovan economy. The most visible characteristic of remittances is their unequal distribution. The analysis applying the standard Lorenz Curve proves that 75% receiving households gets only 25% of total amount being sent to the country. The way remittances are distributed does not seem to be random. Higher amounts go in general to younger and more educated households. Remittances strongly influence the economic potential of households, especially if they are high enough. They often constitute the main source of households' income, but they not discourage the members of receiving households from economic activity. It indicates that migration and working abroad is the manifest of economic activity, on the other hand it suggest that lack of employment opportunities in the country is an important reason for migration. Those who obtain remittances tend to have higher share of investments in their total household spending. Significant share of remittances for all groups is spent on education - the basic investment increasing the future competitiveness. In rural areas remittances are much more often used to improve the quality of farms than to start running other businesses. It seems that lack of infrastructure and good governance is the main reason for which educated and young emigrants sending significant amounts of money do not decide to invest them in entrepreneurial activities. Eradicating these impediments for local development should be become a highest priority.
Authored by: Eugene Hristev, Georgeta Mincu, Maya Sandu, Mateusz Walewski
Published in 2009
- Major push factors for intellectual brain drain from Pakistan included lack of job opportunities, low salaries, poor working conditions, lack of research facilities, and political instability. Many highly educated Pakistanis moved abroad for better professional and economic prospects.
- Between 1995-2004, the number of highly-qualified migrants from Pakistan increased from 1,292 to 3,291 according to Pakistani government data. Skilled migration to OECD countries was also significant, with over 85,000 skilled Pakistani workers migrating during this period.
- While brain drain has costs for Pakistan, some research also points to potential benefits through remittances sent home and through circulation of skilled workers returning with new expertise. However, brain drain continues to be a
The document discusses the findings of a qualitative survey on how remittances from Moldovan labour migrants are contributing to the development of small and medium enterprises in Moldova. It describes the experiences of migrants working abroad, their reasons for returning to Moldova, and how some have used remittances to start businesses in agriculture, commerce, and other sectors. The survey also examines the barriers faced by entrepreneurs in Moldova and presents case studies of businesses started with remittance funding.
The report discusses the changing nature of work in a globalized world, noting that while barriers that prevented women and men from realizing their capabilities are coming down, good jobs providing security are becoming more difficult to find. It also highlights the need to better value unpaid work, primarily done by women, and questions whether we can truly speak of a single global labor market or if national markets still predominate, though competition is increasingly global.
This document summarizes key issues related to small-scale fisheries in South Africa:
- South Africa's fisheries legislation has historically excluded thousands of small-scale fishers, contributing to overfishing and depletion of stocks.
- New proposed legislation aims to formalize small-scale fisheries by allocating collective rights to fisher cooperatives, allowing them to target multiple species.
- However, most near-shore fish stocks are currently collapsed, so increased fishing pressure from an expanded small-scale sector risks further overfishing unless illegal fishing is addressed.
- Recognizing small-scale fisheries' social and economic roles while ensuring sustainability will be an ongoing challenge.
Russia and the UK have differing approaches to human resource management that reflect their distinct histories and cultures. In Russia, HR practices have been influenced by the Soviet era where loyalty was valued and employees were seen as a cost. Today, Russian companies utilize some Western practices but the domestic model also persists. The UK takes a formalized approach defined by legislation and standards. Diversity is a challenge as minority groups face barriers. Performance reviews aim to motivate and develop employees according to their unique strengths. Overall, multinational companies must tailor their HR strategies to account for cultural differences between countries to effectively manage a global workforce.
This document summarizes a study on Chinese business people's views regarding engaging in business partnerships with foreign firms, particularly Australian firms. The study was conducted in two phases, with phase one involving in-depth interviews of 6 Chinese business people in managerial positions. Phase two surveyed 49 additional Chinese business people to further understand social, cultural, and institutional factors that may influence their decisions to engage in international business partnerships. Key factors examined included the importance of relationships and trust between partners, as well as differences between more impersonal Western styles of business versus more personal and long-term relationship-focused business in China.
Quarterly newsletter with information on economic cooperation and integration in Asia from the GIZ programme Regional Economic Cooperation and Integration in Asia (RCI). In our newsletter we share information about our programme activities, and further input on the programme’s focus areas such as regionalism, trade facilitation and port cooperation in Asia.
OECD International Forum on Open Government - AgendaOECD Governance
The International Forum on Open Government gathers open government leaders from around the world in order to debate the contribution of the principles of transparency, accountability and citizens’ participation to good governance and socio-economic development. For more information see www.oecd.org/gov/international-forum-on-open-government.htm
The role of supreme audit institutions in implementing the post 2015 developm...Dr Lendy Spires
The document discusses a panel organized by the UN on the role of Supreme Audit Institutions (SAIs) in implementing the post-2015 development agenda. The panel highlighted how SAIs can promote transparent and effective governance, and considered how their independence and capacity could help achieve development goals. Speakers emphasized that independent oversight institutions like SAIs play a critical role in accountability and achieving results. SAIs were seen as important in monitoring implementation of the more broadly scoped Sustainable Development Goals. The discussion addressed how SAIs can help set indicators and provide advice on financing options to support achieving the post-2015 development agenda.
The challenges of growing small business insights from women entrepreneurs in...Dr Lendy Spires
This report synthesizes the findings from a study on women's enterprise development conducted in Ethiopia, Tanzania, and Zambia in 2002. The study involved interviewing over 370 women business owners across the three countries to identify ways to improve prospects for women's entrepreneurship. Key factors impacting women's enterprise, jobs, and gender in Africa were examined, including women's assets and motivations for business, challenges faced, the enabling environment, and socio-cultural contexts.
This document is the Thailand Migration Report 2011 produced by the United Nations Thematic Working Group on Migration in Thailand. It provides an overview of international migration trends in Thailand and discusses the relationship between migration and development. The report was produced in collaboration between 13 UN agencies and other international organizations, and contains contributions from experts and researchers. It is divided into two parts, with the first examining migration trends and policies in Thailand, and the second exploring how migration relates to specific development goals in areas such as the economy, human rights, health and others. The report aims to provide guidance to help maximize migration's contributions to Thailand's development.
This research study into the “Cost of Youth Emigration” is the first of its kind to provide evidence about Serbian emigration.
Three key questions that the analysis is trying to answer are:
1. What are the average higher education expenses for people?
2. What is the opportunity cost in terms of potential GDP growth generated by the annual populace emigration?
3. Are there positive effects from the migration flow on the economy of Serbia and, if so, what are they?
The document discusses the effects of labour migration from India. It outlines both optimistic and pessimistic views on the impacts of migration. The optimistic view is that migration reduces poverty in source areas by shifting workers to higher income destinations and remittances support households. However, the pessimistic view is that migration reduces income in source areas as productive workers leave and remittances only partially compensate. The true impacts are likely complex, with both positive and negative effects depending on the context.
The paper shows that the question that is relevant for the debate on the efficacy of development assistance is not so much as an issue of how much, but rather for what. In view of the growing awareness of ODA’s inefficiency in achieving intended aims, this paper proposes an alternative approach to development assistance policies – economic integration and subsidiarity provides the conditions necessary for ODA to produce higher rates of economic growth on a sustainable basis. Europe is an excellent case in point, in this context. Europe has in the last decades experienced a number of success stories in moving out of poverty and onto sustainable economic growth. The secret of success has been the push towards economic integration, and the adoption of economic reforms at the local, national, and regional level conducive to economic growth. The recipient countries of development assistance have much to learn from the European experience.
1) The document summarizes research on the role of human capital in different types of regions, including urban, rural, peripheral, and cross-border regions.
2) Two papers examined how human capital mobility impacts local employment in Danish municipalities, finding that in-migrants and in-commuters generally complement the local workforce except in some cases where they substitute medium-skilled locals.
3) A second paper analyzed the spatial mobility and early career outcomes of university graduates in Denmark, finding benefits to mobility for academic but not professional graduates.
4) The research also developed a model of "Cross-Border Institutional Thickness" to examine institutional cooperation and human capital creation in Danish-German border regions.
Viewing the Chinese economy as a speeding car, there are three types of development that could crash the car: (1) a hardware failure, which is the breakdown of an economic mechanism (analogous to the collapse of the chassis of the car), e.g. a banking crisis; (2) a software failure, which is a flaw in governance that creates social disorders (analogous to a fight among the people inside the car), e.g. the state not being able to meet the rising social expectations about its performance because many of the key regulatory institutions are absent or ineffective; and (3) a power supply failure, which is the loss of economic viability (analogous to the car running out of gas or having its ignition key pulled out) e.g. an environmental collapse or an export collapse.
The fact that China has recently declared that its most important task is to build a Harmonious Society (described as a democratic society under the rule of law and living in harmony with nature) suggests that improvements in governance and protection of the environment are among the most serious challenges to achieving sustainable development. The greatest inadequacy of the Harmonious Society vision is the absence of an objective to build a harmonious world because a harmonious society cannot endure in China unless there is also a harmonious world, and vice-versa. The large amount of structural adjustments in the developed countries generated by rapid globalization and technological innovations has made the international atmosphere ripe for trade protectionism; and environmental degradation has made conflict over the global environmental commons more likely. China's quest for a harmonious society requires it to help provide global public goods, particularly the strengthening of the multilateral free trade system, and the protection of the global environmental commons. Specifically, China should work actively for the success of the Doha Round and for an international research consortium to develop clean coal technology.
Authored by: Wing Thye Woo
Published in 2007
From 15 to16 November 2012, the GIZ programme Regional Economic Cooperation and Integration (RCI) in Asia convened an international expert hearing on “Cross-border Coop-eration and Trade Facilitation in Asia” in Bangkok, Thailand. The following pages summarise the purpose, themes and results of this event. Detailed information including the content of lectures and discussions can be retrieved from the respective summaries.
This document summarizes a seminar organized by the UN on participatory governance in North African countries. It provides background on recent uprisings in the region and citizens' demands for greater transparency, accountability, and participation in policymaking. The seminar discussed challenges and opportunities for more participatory approaches and institutions. Key questions addressed how to effectively address social and political demands through public strategies and policies for open participation. Participants discussed whether conventional political institutions could meet these demands or if new participatory institutions were needed. They also considered actions like legal reforms, capacity building, and training to enhance public governance and development. Economic and social councils and similar multi-stakeholder institutions were presented as a framework to complement other institutions like parliaments and
Istanbul 19-20-june-2014 -plenary-panel-2-development-cooperation-with-the-ld...Dr Lendy Spires
This document provides background and outlines objectives for a panel discussion on development cooperation with Least Developed Countries (LDCs). It notes that LDCs face long-term challenges and were designated by the UN to receive targeted assistance. The most recent framework is the 2011 Istanbul Programme of Action, which emphasizes productive capacity, infrastructure, and structural transformation in LDCs. While traditional donors have decreased aid to economic sectors important for LDCs, South-South cooperation and emerging players prioritize these sectors and bring relevant experiences and technologies from their own recent development. The panel will discuss how cooperation can better align with the Istanbul Programme and identify effective approaches, including triangular cooperation and multilateral initiatives.
This document provides a summary of the World of Work Report 2012 published by the International Institute for Labour Studies. It outlines that the global jobs crisis has entered a new structural phase as labour markets have not fully recovered from the 2008 crisis. It argues that austerity policies in advanced economies, primarily Europe, have led to a worsening of the situation and have failed to stimulate growth or job creation. However, it notes that alternative approaches exist that could promote employment while meeting fiscal goals through measures like strengthening labour market institutions, restoring credit to small businesses, and shifting fiscal policy.
Remittances in Moldova reach 36% of GDP, hence they constitute an essential part of the Moldovan economy. The most visible characteristic of remittances is their unequal distribution. The analysis applying the standard Lorenz Curve proves that 75% receiving households gets only 25% of total amount being sent to the country. The way remittances are distributed does not seem to be random. Higher amounts go in general to younger and more educated households. Remittances strongly influence the economic potential of households, especially if they are high enough. They often constitute the main source of households' income, but they not discourage the members of receiving households from economic activity. It indicates that migration and working abroad is the manifest of economic activity, on the other hand it suggest that lack of employment opportunities in the country is an important reason for migration. Those who obtain remittances tend to have higher share of investments in their total household spending. Significant share of remittances for all groups is spent on education - the basic investment increasing the future competitiveness. In rural areas remittances are much more often used to improve the quality of farms than to start running other businesses. It seems that lack of infrastructure and good governance is the main reason for which educated and young emigrants sending significant amounts of money do not decide to invest them in entrepreneurial activities. Eradicating these impediments for local development should be become a highest priority.
Authored by: Eugene Hristev, Georgeta Mincu, Maya Sandu, Mateusz Walewski
Published in 2009
- Major push factors for intellectual brain drain from Pakistan included lack of job opportunities, low salaries, poor working conditions, lack of research facilities, and political instability. Many highly educated Pakistanis moved abroad for better professional and economic prospects.
- Between 1995-2004, the number of highly-qualified migrants from Pakistan increased from 1,292 to 3,291 according to Pakistani government data. Skilled migration to OECD countries was also significant, with over 85,000 skilled Pakistani workers migrating during this period.
- While brain drain has costs for Pakistan, some research also points to potential benefits through remittances sent home and through circulation of skilled workers returning with new expertise. However, brain drain continues to be a
The document discusses the findings of a qualitative survey on how remittances from Moldovan labour migrants are contributing to the development of small and medium enterprises in Moldova. It describes the experiences of migrants working abroad, their reasons for returning to Moldova, and how some have used remittances to start businesses in agriculture, commerce, and other sectors. The survey also examines the barriers faced by entrepreneurs in Moldova and presents case studies of businesses started with remittance funding.
The report discusses the changing nature of work in a globalized world, noting that while barriers that prevented women and men from realizing their capabilities are coming down, good jobs providing security are becoming more difficult to find. It also highlights the need to better value unpaid work, primarily done by women, and questions whether we can truly speak of a single global labor market or if national markets still predominate, though competition is increasingly global.
This document summarizes key issues related to small-scale fisheries in South Africa:
- South Africa's fisheries legislation has historically excluded thousands of small-scale fishers, contributing to overfishing and depletion of stocks.
- New proposed legislation aims to formalize small-scale fisheries by allocating collective rights to fisher cooperatives, allowing them to target multiple species.
- However, most near-shore fish stocks are currently collapsed, so increased fishing pressure from an expanded small-scale sector risks further overfishing unless illegal fishing is addressed.
- Recognizing small-scale fisheries' social and economic roles while ensuring sustainability will be an ongoing challenge.
Russia and the UK have differing approaches to human resource management that reflect their distinct histories and cultures. In Russia, HR practices have been influenced by the Soviet era where loyalty was valued and employees were seen as a cost. Today, Russian companies utilize some Western practices but the domestic model also persists. The UK takes a formalized approach defined by legislation and standards. Diversity is a challenge as minority groups face barriers. Performance reviews aim to motivate and develop employees according to their unique strengths. Overall, multinational companies must tailor their HR strategies to account for cultural differences between countries to effectively manage a global workforce.
This document summarizes a study on Chinese business people's views regarding engaging in business partnerships with foreign firms, particularly Australian firms. The study was conducted in two phases, with phase one involving in-depth interviews of 6 Chinese business people in managerial positions. Phase two surveyed 49 additional Chinese business people to further understand social, cultural, and institutional factors that may influence their decisions to engage in international business partnerships. Key factors examined included the importance of relationships and trust between partners, as well as differences between more impersonal Western styles of business versus more personal and long-term relationship-focused business in China.
Quarterly newsletter with information on economic cooperation and integration in Asia from the GIZ programme Regional Economic Cooperation and Integration in Asia (RCI). In our newsletter we share information about our programme activities, and further input on the programme’s focus areas such as regionalism, trade facilitation and port cooperation in Asia.
OECD International Forum on Open Government - AgendaOECD Governance
The International Forum on Open Government gathers open government leaders from around the world in order to debate the contribution of the principles of transparency, accountability and citizens’ participation to good governance and socio-economic development. For more information see www.oecd.org/gov/international-forum-on-open-government.htm
The role of supreme audit institutions in implementing the post 2015 developm...Dr Lendy Spires
The document discusses a panel organized by the UN on the role of Supreme Audit Institutions (SAIs) in implementing the post-2015 development agenda. The panel highlighted how SAIs can promote transparent and effective governance, and considered how their independence and capacity could help achieve development goals. Speakers emphasized that independent oversight institutions like SAIs play a critical role in accountability and achieving results. SAIs were seen as important in monitoring implementation of the more broadly scoped Sustainable Development Goals. The discussion addressed how SAIs can help set indicators and provide advice on financing options to support achieving the post-2015 development agenda.
The challenges of growing small business insights from women entrepreneurs in...Dr Lendy Spires
This report synthesizes the findings from a study on women's enterprise development conducted in Ethiopia, Tanzania, and Zambia in 2002. The study involved interviewing over 370 women business owners across the three countries to identify ways to improve prospects for women's entrepreneurship. Key factors impacting women's enterprise, jobs, and gender in Africa were examined, including women's assets and motivations for business, challenges faced, the enabling environment, and socio-cultural contexts.
This document is the Thailand Migration Report 2011 produced by the United Nations Thematic Working Group on Migration in Thailand. It provides an overview of international migration trends in Thailand and discusses the relationship between migration and development. The report was produced in collaboration between 13 UN agencies and other international organizations, and contains contributions from experts and researchers. It is divided into two parts, with the first examining migration trends and policies in Thailand, and the second exploring how migration relates to specific development goals in areas such as the economy, human rights, health and others. The report aims to provide guidance to help maximize migration's contributions to Thailand's development.
The focus of this Issue Brief is to explore to what extent youth volunteerism
contributes to the economic empowerment of young people in Asia and the
Pacific, due to the skills which may have been developed during volunteering.
The Brief is a result of a desk study on volunteering and youth unemployment and
underemployment throughout the region, accompanied by a number of interviews
with current and former volunteers.
The Issue Brief first breaks down the challenges of youth unemployment,
underemployment and informality in Asia and Pacific, as well as rapidly changing
skill requirements, which are barriers for young people entering the labor market.
The Brief moves on to discuss the various forms of volunteering in the region, as well
as the skills volunteers may develop during volunteering. The last section explores
which of those skills are relevant to employability and labor market access for young
people and discovers the benefits of volunteering for youth entrepreneurship.
A number of recommendations are made on employability including but not limited
to the importance of skill needs anticipation and skills development relevant for
labor market access and entrepreneurship, followed by recommendations for
volunteer serving organizations and volunteers themselves. These include, for
example, to design volunteer programmes to empower women and expose them to
new work environments and for volunteers to volunteer more strategically to expand
social capital and networks, which are crucial for finding employment in markets
dominated by informality
The speaker advocated transforming China's urbanization model from scale-oriented to population-based urbanization to promote more inclusive growth. Scale-oriented urbanization is becoming unsustainable due to resource constraints, social and environmental costs. Population urbanization could double urbanization rates and boost consumption and services. A priority is reforming China's hukou system to integrate migrant workers into cities and access public services. This would avoid social tensions. Land and welfare reforms were also recommended to support population urbanization. The household registration system should transition to a residence permit system within 5-8 years nationwide.
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The way to strengthen the partnership between United Nations and African community in advancing youth employment by Crafts and Vocational Center for sustainable development
Seven Key Findings from the Youth Governance SurveyOECD Governance
This brochure presents the preliminary findings from a large-scale survey which was sent to nine countries in the MENA region.The surveys explore the opportunities for young people to engage in public life and analyses the efforts undertaken by
governments and public administrations to deliver policies and
services that are responsive to their specific needs from a public
governance perspective.
Modern Apprenticeships and Black and Minority Ethnic Young PeopleSajid Butt
This document summarizes a symposium discussing ways to increase participation and positive outcomes for black and minority ethnic (BME) young people in Modern Apprenticeships. Key organizations discussed included the Learning and Skills Council (LSC), Sector Skills Development Agency, and Connexions partnerships. Issues raised included low promotion and uptake of apprenticeships among BME youth, lack of diversity among training providers, and poor job outcomes for BME apprentices. Suggested solutions involved better promotion targeted at BME communities, raising aspirations at younger ages, developing employer pathways, and increasing support for black voluntary sector learning providers.
This document analyzes the effects of China on employment in Latin America and the Caribbean from 1995-2016. It proposes interpreting the economic relationship between the two regions as having three overlapping phases: (1) intensifying trade since the 1990s, with China now the second largest trading partner; (2) large inflows of Chinese funds and foreign direct investment since 2007-2008, making China an important source of financing; and (3) significant infrastructure projects in LAC since 2013. The document aims to provide an overview of the quantitative and qualitative job impacts of China through trade, FDI, and infrastructure, and proposes methods for further country-level analysis.
The Maghreb region stands at a strategic crossroad today. It can embark on a path of reform and prosperity by transforming its rich natural endowment and human capital into inclusive economic growth. Moreover, the region’s geo-strategic situation positions it at a key junction of global trade. In order to contribute to the existing efforts towards the utilization of these potentials for growth in the region, the study at hand thus aims to give concrete recommendations on structural reforms to stimulate potentials for economic growth and inclusive development.
Authors: Hedi Larbi and Lars Christensen
The paper analyses the history and current status of financial inclusion in Malawi and its associated impact on individual, societal, and overall nation development. Through a review of past literature on financial inclusion and a survey on individuals’ opinions on financial services availability and affordability, the study reveals that financial inclusion has a direct relationship with economic performance and that individual economic independence, financial literacy, and accessibility play crucial roles in determining the levels of financial inclusion in an economy.
SFG - White Paper - Regional Talent Managementymcnulty
This document discusses Asian expatriates and their importance for companies operating in Asia. It notes that Asia is a diverse and dynamic region that is becoming a major global hub for trade. While Asia possesses significant economic potential, there are also talent shortages that companies face. The document argues that one way companies address these shortages is by leveraging Asian expatriates - individuals born in Asia with an understanding of Asian culture who relocate within the region. Asian expatriates can help companies better navigate cultural differences and adapt to new locations in Asia. Their background provides an advantage over Western expatriates in many Asian business environments.
I apologize, but I do not actually have any direct quotes or interviews with Bill Gates to reference. As an AI assistant created by Anthropic to be helpful, harmless, and honest, I do not have personal experiences to draw from.
The document discusses the potential role of the African diaspora as a "fourth wheel" in megacommunities aimed at addressing issues on the continent. It argues that diaspora members represent a significant untapped resource due to the large sums of money sent back in remittances, which in some cases exceed foreign aid and contribute substantially to GDP. While remittances show their ongoing connection, they also indicate potential for increased foreign direct investment that could fuel economic growth if African countries create an environment welcoming diaspora participation and integration. Fully utilizing diaspora expertise, networks, and resources could help accelerate development progress in Africa.
In light of ongoing negotiations between the Lao People’s Democratic Republic’s (Lao PDR) government and the Chinese People’s Republic (PR China) provincial authorities of Yunnan to set-up a cross-border economic zone (CBEZ), which is supposed to connect Boten, Luangnamtha province (Lao PDR) and Mohan, Yunnan province (PR China), GIZ Regional Economic Cooperation and Integration in Asia (RCI) Programme in cooperation with the Secretariat to the Lao National Committee for Special Economic Zones (S-NCSEZ) conducted several joint activities on the topic of “Cross-border Economic Zones/Clusters” in July and September 2013.
The Study on Urbanisation, People Mobility and Inclusive Development across the UrbanRural Continuum in ASEAN (hereafter referred to as “the Project”) is a joint study implemented by the ASEAN Secretariat, together with IOM, UN-Habitat, and other relevant United Nations Agencies. The study includes analyses on the multifaceted issues concerning the urban-rural continuum, the identification of key actors, stakeholders, existing strategies, and practices in AMS. The study assesses the effects of urbanisation and inclusive development in ASEAN, provides recommendations regarding policies and regulations addressing inclusive development across the urban-rural continuum and ensures no one is left behind.
Credit : https://asean.org/book/urbanisation-people-mobility-and-inclusive-development-across-urban-rural-continuum-in-asean/?fbclid=IwAR2rGh173tsbRhreD43daQRgvJB9CzqU4PEJTdYb8ISwskhDdXe-pHrkXYk
The document discusses localization of resources in South Africa to address unemployment. It defines localization as allocating resources within a particular place to develop local economies and create jobs. Localizing communication industries by creating local television and radio stations, and localizing finance by establishing local development banks in every municipality can transform local businesses and strengthen local economies. Localizing resources non-racially, as democracy intends, will enable more equitable socioeconomic development compared to past policies of exclusive localization under apartheid.
A report on the 1st Economists Conference on Tanzania and the Global Economy, hosted by Tanzania Institutional Economic Development Foundation (TIEDF), 2017 at Sokoine University of Agriculture.
The document discusses financing technical and vocational education and training (TVET) in China. It notes that TVET is important to support China's economic growth and promote social development by meeting the demands of employers and increasing employment opportunities. However, China's TVET system suffers from weaknesses such as fragmentation, poor coordination, and inadequate and inefficient financing. Addressing issues with TVET financing and creating a coordinating body could help improve the system's relevance, effectiveness, and efficiency in developing workers' skills.
SCSI Presentation on Mongolia’s Regional Integration in Northeast Asia at the National Mongolian University's Conference: Regional Integration and Trade Policy
In December 2017 the Support for Economic Cooperation in Sub-Regional Initiatives in Asia (SCSI) Programme of Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH condened a workshop on SPS Challenges and Opportunities in Exporting Agricultural Goods to China in Beijing, China with participants from Cambodia, Lao PDR, Viet Nam and China
Supporting implementation of World Trade Organisation (WTO) Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA) with the Global and German Alliance for Trade Facilitation for a higher involvment of the Private Sector in trade facilitation Projects.
Presentation on the occasion of the 5th GTI NEA Local Cooperation Committee Meeting and the Logistics Sub-Committee Meeting in Heihe, PR China, 16 August 2017.
The GIZ supports regional economic integration in Asia through its Support for Economic Cooperation in Sub-Regional Initiatives in Asia (SCSI) program. The program works with sub-regional initiatives like the Greater Tumen Initiative and Pan Beibu Gulf Economic Cooperation to strengthen processes of regional integration between countries. The goal is to contribute to sustainable development in the region by promoting cross-border trade and investment, capacity building, and knowledge sharing. In the past, the program has provided training to public and private stakeholders to improve implementation of economic agreements and regional initiatives.
This document summarizes Christine Wieck's presentation on facilitating safe agricultural trade based on experiences from EU integration. The presentation outlines how agricultural trade has increased over time but safety regulations create transaction costs. It discusses strategies countries use to cooperate on food safety standards, from coordination and equivalence to harmonization. The EU provides an example of deep integration where food law has gradually harmonized over 28 countries to establish a single market and common food safety system while balancing trade and health.
This document discusses GIZ's approaches to agricultural standards and regional cooperation. It provides two examples of GIZ projects: 1) The Standards in the South-East Asian Food Trade (SAFT) project which aims to align ASEAN food quality standards with international standards to facilitate trade. 2) The Sustainable Agrifood Systems in the ASEAN Region (SAS) project which works to advance agrifood sectors along entire value chains and ensure safe, affordable food. It concludes that regional cooperation can help address issues like inconsistent food regulations and realizes opportunities through projects involving stakeholders from the public and private sectors.
Recent Developments in Exporting Agricultural Goods to China - Workshop on ASEAN-China Free Trade Agreement (ACFTA), Phnom Penh, Cambodia, 03 March 2017
Regional Infrastructure Investment Initiatives: Zero-Sum Game or Win-Win Collaboration? - Proceedings of the Roundtable Meeting on 11-12 September 2015 in Hangzhou, PR China
Elaborated by Jens Gabbe, Chairman of the AEBR Advisory Committee, in the context of the 3rd Meeting of the Greater Tumen Initiative’s Northeast Asia Local Cooperation Committee
7th of August 2015, Choibalsan City, Mongolia
This document provides an analysis of potential for development and cooperation in ports and logistics in the ASEAN-China Pan-Beibu Gulf (ACPBG) region. It summarizes previous studies on topics like the ASEAN-China Free Trade Agreement and cargo transport models. It also includes an in-depth examination of hinterland connections, market analyses of countries in the region, and competitive analyses of selected ports. Finally, it proposes specific areas for cooperation like cluster formation, skills development, and environmental protection, and provides roadmaps and estimates of the potential welfare effects of cooperation.
On 25-26 August 2014, the „Regional Economic Cooperation and Integration (RCI) in Asia“ Programme of Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH convened a conference on „Special Economic Zones in a Regional and Global Context - Economic Significance and Impact” in Shanghai, China. The conference was a two-day event aiming at exchange and discussion of the current scientific discourse on SEZ in respective home countries among policy makers and academia from PR China, Mongolia, and ASEAN member states. Moreover, renowned international experts shared a global perspective on the subject.
The welcoming remarks kicked off the study tour and training on regional best practices of single window implementation and business process analysis in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. Representatives from the host country's Single Window State Entity welcomed the participants and emphasized the importance of regional knowledge sharing and learning from each other's experiences in implementing single window systems. The objective of the event was to provide both theoretical training and practical insights into business process analysis as a tool for trade facilitation and single window design, as well as an overview of Kyrgyzstan's single window system as an example for participants to learn from. Regional cooperation and capacity building were highlighted as key goals to strengthen smaller countries' engagement in facilitating trade.
This document is a newsletter from the GIZ Regional Economic Cooperation and Integration in Asia Programme. It provides updates on recent activities including study tours on cross-border cooperation, workshops on trade facilitation and social implications of economic integration, and an expert forum on cross-border cooperation and trade facilitation. It also summarizes recent trends in Asian regionalism from sources like the Asian Development Bank, Boao Forum for Asia, and Institute of Southeast Asian Studies. Upcoming events and new publications from the programme are listed.
‘वोटर्स विल मस्ट प्रीवेल’ (मतदाताओं को जीतना होगा) अभियान द्वारा जारी हेल्पलाइन नंबर, 4 जून को सुबह 7 बजे से दोपहर 12 बजे तक मतगणना प्रक्रिया में कहीं भी किसी भी तरह के उल्लंघन की रिपोर्ट करने के लिए खुला रहेगा।
El Puerto de Algeciras continúa un año más como el más eficiente del continente europeo y vuelve a situarse en el “top ten” mundial, según el informe The Container Port Performance Index 2023 (CPPI), elaborado por el Banco Mundial y la consultora S&P Global.
El informe CPPI utiliza dos enfoques metodológicos diferentes para calcular la clasificación del índice: uno administrativo o técnico y otro estadístico, basado en análisis factorial (FA). Según los autores, esta dualidad pretende asegurar una clasificación que refleje con precisión el rendimiento real del puerto, a la vez que sea estadísticamente sólida. En esta edición del informe CPPI 2023, se han empleado los mismos enfoques metodológicos y se ha aplicado un método de agregación de clasificaciones para combinar los resultados de ambos enfoques y obtener una clasificación agregada.
Here is Gabe Whitley's response to my defamation lawsuit for him calling me a rapist and perjurer in court documents.
You have to read it to believe it, but after you read it, you won't believe it. And I included eight examples of defamatory statements/
An astonishing, first-of-its-kind, report by the NYT assessing damage in Ukraine. Even if the war ends tomorrow, in many places there will be nothing to go back to.
04062024_First India Newspaper Jaipur.pdfFIRST INDIA
Find Latest India News and Breaking News these days from India on Politics, Business, Entertainment, Technology, Sports, Lifestyle and Coronavirus News in India and the world over that you can't miss. For real time update Visit our social media handle. Read First India NewsPaper in your morning replace. Visit First India.
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Acolyte Episodes review (TV series) The Acolyte. Learn about the influence of the program on the Star Wars world, as well as new characters and story twists.
Inputs and Materials: Workshop on Social Implications of Regional Economic Integration and Cooperation
1. Regional Economic Cooperation and Integration in Asia
INPUTS AND MATERIALS
Workshop
Social Implications of Regional Economic Integration and
Cooperation
2. Imprint
Published by the
Deutsche Gesellschaft für
Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH
Registered offices
Bonn and Eschborn, Germany
Regional Economic Cooperation and Integration in Asia
China Office
TaYuan Diplomatic Office
14 Liangmahe South Street, Chaoyang District
10600 Beijing, PR China
T +86-10-8532-5344
F +86-10-8532-5744
Office Mongolia
Naiman Zovkhi Building
Seoul Street 21
Ulaanbaatar 14251, Mongolia
Office Thailand
193/63 Lake Rajada Office Complex
New Ratchadapisek Road, Klongtoey
Bangkok 10110, Thailand
rci-asia@giz.de
www.giz.de
As at
January 2013
Photo credits
Copyrights for all pictures: GIZ
Copyright for cover picture: GIZ/Ursula Meissner
Text
Lisa Brückner and Stefan Hein
The findings and conclusions expressed in this documentation are entirely those of the authors. They do not necessarily repre-
sent the view of the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ). The information provided is without
warranty of any kind.
On behalf of the
German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ)
3. Regional Economic Cooperation and Integration in Asia 2
CONTENTS
Agenda 3
Background 4
Executive Summary 6
1. Opening and Introduction 8
2. Expectations 9
3. Stock Taking 9
3.1. Achievements 9
3.2. Hot Topics 10
4. Dream Work: Successful Solutions 12
5. Small Steps First 13
6. Feedback 16
7. Annex 1 ‒ Workshop Handout 18
8. Annex 2 ‒ Vientiane Times Article 20
4. 3 Regional Economic Cooperation and Integration in Asia
Agenda
9:00 Opening
Welcoming Remarks
Chansada Phonthip
(National Commission for the Advancement of Women of Lao PDR, NCAW)
9:10 – 09:30 Introduction to the Workshop
Peter L. Fedon
(Facilitator)
09:30 – 10:00 Expectations and Goals
What needs to happen to make the workshop useful?
What should be different after the workshop?
10:00 – 11:00 Stock Taking – Achievements
Where do we stand regarding Lao NCAW goals / the improvement of condi-
tions for migrant workers?
What is already working well?
What exists that can be built on?
11:00 – 11:15 Coffee &Tea Break
11:15 – 13:00 Stock Taking – Hot Topics
What areas do we need to improve?
What is wanted?
13:00 – 14:00 Joint Lunch
14:00 – 15:30 Dream Work: Successful Solutions
What if a dream becomes true and you can achieve whatever you want to
achieve?
How would it look like?
What are people going to say?
15:30 – 16:15 Small Steps First
What do you need to do in practical terms to move up a notch or two on the
scale?
16:15 – 16:30 Feedback
What were the highlights of the workshop?
What was missing?
Have your expectations been met?
5. Regional Economic Cooperation and Integration in Asia 4
Background
Regional economic cooperation and integration play an increasingly important role in Asia’s
economic landscape. They help countries to overcome the limitations of domestic markets
and foster inclusive development, both by boosting economic growth and by providing the
resources for pro-poor policies. However, deepened integration can also bring economic and
financial instability and contagion, risks of uneven growth, disease transmission, illegal la-
bour migration and environmental degradation, among others. Although the political and
economic benefits of increased integration may outweigh the risks, managing unskilled la-
bour migration is one of the unique challenges, particularly where it occurs illegally.
Rationale of Cross-border Labour Migration in the Lao PDR
As economic growth in Lao PDR has not contributed sustainably to poverty reduction and
the positive effects of economic growth have been largely offset by increases in inequality,
economic disparity within the country is the major driving force of labour migration. Moreover,
this effect is intensified by the geographical position of Lao PDR, which is located in the cen-
tre of a dynamic and prospering region, bordering China, Vietnam, Thailand, Cambodia and
Myanmar. As in most countries, the poor are located predominately in rural, mostly isolated
areas. Thus, limited economic opportunities in the country are the strongest push factor that
contributes to labour migration abroad.
Female Migrant Workers
In the Lao PDR, women comprise over half of the officially registered Lao migrant workers to
Thailand.1
While data for illegal workers is not available, it can be assumed that the actual
share of women migrants is even higher. Female migrant workers constitute a risk group that
has been steadily increasing in numbers due to stronger integration of Lao PDR in sub-
regional markets and cross-border economic activities. 2
Increased cross-border labour
movement has been commonly discussed as a negative result of economic integration in the
context of human trafficking and exploitation of migrant workers, especially of women.3
Despite efforts to regulate labour migration to Thailand, most migrants opt for irregular chan-
nels, which prove to be faster and cheaper. As a result they migrate without adequate infor-
mation about their destination or proper work contracts, which leaves them vulnerable to
exploitation and abuse. Further, it prohibits their access to social and health services from
the government.4
1
Khamsay Chanthavysouk, Migrant Labor Context of Lao PDR, undated paper.
2
UNIAP, Human Trafficking and Exploitation: Targeting Vulnerability Factors, August 2010.
3
Sverre Molland, ‘The perfect Business’; Human Trafficking and Lao-Thai Cross-Border Migration; in: Development and
Change 41 (5), Oxford 2010 (Blackwell).
4
Kabmanivanh Phouxay, Returnee Dimensions and Reintegration of Lao Migrant Workers to Thailand, January 2007.
6. 5 Regional Economic Cooperation and Integration in Asia
On the other hand, migrant remittances, for instance, are a valuable and stable source of
foreign exchange for Lao PDR. Some migrant workers learn skills on-the-job which might be
difficult to acquire at home. Others develop a broader vision of their future during frequent
seasonal migration.
National Commission for the Advancement of Women of Lao PDR
The National Commission for the Advancement of Women of Lao PDR (Lao NCAW) is in
charge for the implementation of the 2nd
National Strategy for the Advancement of Women
2011 ‒ 2015. Its mandate includes monitoring the progress of achieving objectives of the
strategy and providing practical advice on how to mitigate risks and discrimination of women
across sectors and policy areas.
7. Regional Economic Cooperation and Integration in Asia 6
Executive Summary
On 20 November 2012, the programme “Regional Economic Cooperation and Integration
(RCI) in Asia” of Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH
convened a workshop on “Social Implications of Economic Integration” in Vientiane, Lao
PDR. The following pages summarise the purpose, main themes and results of this event.
The purpose of the workshop was to assemble stakeholders from all relevant line ministries
and institutions/organizations and to reach a common understanding of social aspects of
regional integration. The intermediate goal was for all participants to gain a clearer under-
standing of the role of their institution in the integration process as well as to elaborate on
practical solutions for questions pertaining to the management of cross-border migration
through exposure and talks to stakeholders from other line ministries and institutions. The
workshop focused on mapping the status quo as well as on the development of concrete and
realistic steps for future action.
Ms. Chansada Phonthip, Vice President of Lao NCAW Secretariat, opened the workshop
with a keynote address. She outlined the role of Lao NCAW and stressed the importance of
economic empowerment of women in the context of labour migration that results from eco-
nomic integration. To clarify the framework of the workshop (“what brought us here”), the
facilitator subsequently referred to the hand-out (see Annex 2) that had been distributed to
the participants. Afterwards, all 17 participants, a representative from GIZ Laos and the two
co-facilitators introduced themselves and presented their initial ideas and expectations re-
garding the workshop. Among the expectations expressed was the wish to gain an idea on
how to strengthen capacities of government officials to manage cross-border migration.
In the following two stock-taking sessions participants first pinpointed achievements with
regard to managing labour migration and then collected areas for improvement. Afterwards
participants were encouraged to come up with 'dreams' – reflecting a precise picture of an
ideal future in which all problems have been resolved. One solution put forward by a partici-
pant was that a comprehensive programme covering all aspects of migrant workers and in-
forming the public is designed and implemented effectively.
In the final round of small working groups participants elaborated on practical and doable
next steps to achieve progress to attain their ideal situation, such as to generate and dis-
seminate more information on the topic on the village level to raise awareness among risk
groups.
8. 7 Regional Economic Cooperation and Integration in Asia
Conclusion
The workshop successfully took stock of substantial achievements in managing the down-
sides of labour migration as a result of increasing economic integration, particularly regard-
ing the protection of female migrant workers and children. It assembled participants from Lao
NCAW, the Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare (MLSW), the Ministry of Public Security
(MPS), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA), the Ministry of Justice (MOJ), from Lao Trade
Union, as well as Lao Youth Union (see Annex 1 for the complete list of participants) and
built on the strengths of Lao NCAW to discuss solutions and practical next steps and actions
in accordance with its mandate.
After having worked intensively on the subject for a whole day and having exchanged views
with representatives from all relevant line ministries and institutions a participant concluded:
“Don’t get stuck with problems – be smart in building on internal capacity”.
9. Regional Economic Cooperation and Integration in Asia 8
1. Opening and Introduction
Ms. Chansada Phonthip, Vice President of Lao NCAW Se-
cretariat, opened the workshop on behalf of Minister
Khempheng Pholsena. In her key note address, she re-
ferred to the role and mandate of Lao NCAW. She stated
that the economic empowerment of women must be at the
core of efforts addressing labour migration problems. In this
regard she furthermore noted the importance to provide
access to economic resources, education and justice for
women.
Adding to Ms. Chansada Phonthip's opening speech, the facilitator Mr. Peter L. Fedon
passed on main messages of Minister Khempheng Pholsena for the orientation of the work-
shop that she had provided:
Increase awareness about all aspects of female and child migrant workers
Improve understanding and coordination among all agencies and organizations that are
involved
Outline the big picture
Define priorities, doable actions and realistic programs to better manage cross-border
migration
Subsequently some of the existing resources, like the Memorandum of Understanding be-
tween Lao PDR and Thailand targeting and protecting migrant workers, existing laws, the 2nd
National Strategy for the Advancement of Women 2011 – 2015), as well as donor funded
government projects were listed by the facilitator. He suggested to be aware of such re-
sources and of already attained achievements when discussing solutions to the raised is-
sues.
10. 9 Regional Economic Cooperation and Integration in Asia
2. Expectations and Goals
As a response to the question “What needs to happen in this workshop to make it really
worth your time?” each participant shared one major expectation with the group. The results
can be clustered in 3 categories:
To exchange knowledge, views and information to
better understand the subject
To get an idea how to better manage the issue, im-
prove political efforts, solve the conflict between eco-
nomic power and rule of law, protect female migrant
workers, and apply the newly learned skills
To define the role and mandates of involved agencies
to avoid duplication in action and to fill the implemen-
tation gap.
3. Stock Taking
3.1. Achievements
In this exercise participants had to define their baseline status regarding the reduction of
risks for female migrant workers and had to
physically position themselves on a scale
from 1 to10, that had been marked on the
floor of the meeting room ‒ 10 meaning the
ideal state and 1 meaning the absolute oppo-
site. While most participants grouped around
level 4 to 6, one participant chose level 1 and
one participant selected level 7.
This 'scaling dance' proved to be a lively ex-
ercise and generated many responses to the follow-up questions:
What exactly put you at this level?
What is it that is already working well?
11. Regional Economic Cooperation and Integration in Asia 10
The brainstorming created a long list of existing institutional achievements, including specific
legislation, a draft strategic action plan, inter-agency coordination, ongoing research, aware-
ness campaigns, donor support as well as practical support to migrants like financial assis-
tance, work permits and information about job opportunities.
Participants also mentioned existing resources that helped
them reach the respective level of achievement, such as
guidance by superiors, donor support, and a national
framework that is established and serves as orientation.
Brainstorming on achievements set a positive tone while
encouraging active participation. It helped to increase the
identification with the workshop and gave confidence that
the outcome will have something to offer to every partici-
pant.
3.2. Hot Topics
In the following exercise participants
were asked to determine the topics
where improvement is necessary
and to list the things they must get
right in order to move up on the
scale of the previous 'scaling dance'
exercise. Participants gathered in
three small working groups and dis-
cussed specific areas pertaining to
the management of cross-border
migration that, in their view, remain
unsatisfactory.
The subsequent presentations by the elected speakers of each group highlighted three main
areas of concern:
Skills development and (technical) education that meet market demands and that are in
accordance with accelerated ASEAN integration are not adequate to create job oppor-
tunities for many workers. This results in a vicious circle of low education, low salary
and illegal migration.
12. 11 Regional Economic Cooperation and Integration in Asia
Compliance with existing laws and signed conventions are sometimes not monitored
and enforced in the private sector, including the need to pay minimum wages. Some
laws still need harmonization with international conventions.
Increased awareness and capacity building in villages and rural areas could help pre-
vent illegal migration and human trafficking and could also improve the status of legal
migrant workers. More detailed information/statistics about migrants would be required
to do this kind of work.
Informing about job opportunities, creating specific laws and regulations and an increased
awareness about human trafficking and illegal migration are areas that were mentioned be-
fore as achievements. What makes them areas of concern is the need to do more, doing it
better and in a more comprehensive manner. Participants used more concrete language in
defining the challenges than listing achievements which indicates that they are already
working on those issues.
The skills and education aspect of migration has only been mentioned as an area of concern
and no achievement in this sector was named. Migration was mostly referred to as a nega-
tive result of economic integration: People have no other choice than to migrate to
neighbouring countries to earn a living. Positive aspects of migration, like migrants who use
their skills or attain skills abroad to increase family income in rural areas at home, did not
surface in the brainstorming.
13. Regional Economic Cooperation and Integration in Asia 12
4. Dream Work: Successful Solutions
Keeping the focus on solutions while looking
at ‘miraculous improvements’ – ‘like in a
dream’ – encouraged participants to design a
precise picture of a future in which all prob-
lems are resolved. The group was asked to
think broadly and develop creative ideas.
The results of this brainstorming exercise
indirectly confirmed the areas of concern
identified in the previous session. As they are
highly relevant for future actions, all ideas about an ideal situation are listed as follows:
Educated and well-paid workers contribute to better living and socio-economic condi-
tions at large, including poverty reduction.
All Lao women are skilled, earn money and advance in society.
A comprehensive programme covering all aspects of migrant workers and informing the
public has been designed.
All workers are aware about their rights, protective laws and rules.
Sufficient funds and technical expertise is available to monitor labour movements and to
provide reliable statistics as well as to inform and train female migrant workers.
Rural information centres are established and are operating effectively.
Other governments are cooperating to reduce/prevent human trafficking.
All workers receive at least compulsory education.
Well-paid workers don´t migrate abroad.
Educated workers seize well-paid jobs.
14. 13 Regional Economic Cooperation and Integration in Asia
In sum, education and employable skills enable workers, especially female workers, to ob-
tain well-paid work. This is supported by additional government services like surveillance
and information centres, especially in rural and border areas, as well as funds to engage
expertise on the subject. Also, cooperation with neighbouring countries takes place to fight
human trafficking.
Workshop participants were enthused by this vision and convinced that those ‘dreams’ can
be realized. This indicates confidence in their own strengths to address migration issues as
well as about the availability of sufficient resources to succeed.
5. Small Steps First
Agreeing on small steps to work on “areas
where we can do better” constituted the last
workshop session. The focus was on practical,
doable and yet important steps that cost little to
achieve progress, starting the next day and the
next week.
The following activity clusters emerged:
(1) Generating, sharing and disseminating more information
- Share today’s WS results with network
- Share information through media
- Conduct national study on migration
- Collect more information on human trafficking, salaries in Laos and Thailand, motives of
migrant workers, and origin of migrant workers
- Increase public awareness throughout the country
- Increase information access
- Raise awareness on preserving traditional values of Lao women.
(2) The NCAW Secretariat aspires to take early action based on information sharing with
media and a national study on migration. Participants from NCAW formulated next steps
by prioritizing information sharing and awareness building activities:
15. Regional Economic Cooperation and Integration in Asia 14
NCAW calls women union for meeting with all involved stakeholders
↓
Create awareness on risks of women migration
↓
Produce information material
↓
NCAW secretariat calls for WS with selected participants
↓
NCAW disseminates information material in rural areas
This would go hand in hand with an expansion of network activities to rural areas. NCAW
could also start consultation on the development of a programme that will provide infor-
mation on the risks of cross-border migration.
(3) A number of next step actions referred to government institutions, including to
- Decide in government who takes the lead on illegal migration issues
- Create national committee on migration
- Develop capacity of government officials to adequately deal with migration
- Organize meetings/workshop with Ministry of Education
- Monitor the enforcement of labour laws by trade union
- Push investments to rural areas to create more jobs with the help of MPI.
- Propose MOFA to collect information/data on migrants
- Design measures to improve inter-ministerial coordination regarding the advancement of
Lao women
(4) Generic actions regarding laws and regulation were listed with the objective to (i) har-
monize existing laws, both internally and with laws of neighbouring countries; (ii) inform
citizens about these laws and regulations; (iii) monitor the implementation and applica-
tion of laws and regulations; (iv) create more public awareness about the link between
labour and investment laws and Lao culture; and (v) enforce existing laws and regula-
tions. The assumption is that once this has been achieved and people have jobs, there
will be no migration anymore.
(5) There is a perceived need for more funding of migration related activities. MOF is there-
fore requested to ask for additional external funds from the Prime Minister’s Office. The
Ministry of Labour is requested to reach out to provinces and rural areas and build ca-
16. 15 Regional Economic Cooperation and Integration in Asia
pacity to deal with migration. If rural people have the necessary information they can
avoid to be trapped by human trafficking. Equally, creating jobs in rural areas and ex-
pand educational services to rural and remote areas will help to fight human trafficking.
– A skill training programme for returning migrant women could help them create family
businesses as an opportunity of self-employment.
Participants were aware that listed activities in most cases would have to be more specific,
time-bound, and assigned to specific staff to make up an action plan that can be monitored
and evaluated.
17. Regional Economic Cooperation and Integration in Asia 16
6. Feedback
Participants filled out an evaluation form (see Annex ) that asked 11 questions and included
ratings of the degree of satisfaction with (i) the workshop overall, (ii) the content, (iii) the for-
mat, and (iv) the facilitator. Overall satisfaction was good or very good, similar to satisfaction
with the content and the format of the workshop. Satisfaction with the workshop facilitator
scored highest with the most ‘very good’ ratings.
When asked what participants liked most in this workshop, the workshop methodology was
the single most mentioned item, ahead of sharing and exchanging knowledge and informa-
tion and the importance of chosen topics for the discussion. There was a feeling that the
workshop approach “made participants feel relaxed” while at the same time “stimulating ac-
tive thinking” and creating an atmosphere of “sharing the same spirit”.5
Key learnings or conclusions from this workshop referred predominantly to the workshop
methodology (“step-by-step approach”, “technique to stimulate thinking”, non-threatening
“methods to tackle issues”, “comparing outcomes with our goals”, “how to approach solu-
tions on migrant issues”, “don’t get stuck with problems – be smart in building on internal
capacity”). Participants also appreciated learning more about women migration and preven-
tive measures and stressed the importance of knowledge exchange, good discussions and
brainstorming exercises.
Following feedback from participants, more attention should have been given to:
the nature of migration
legal aspects
internal coordination
consultations leading to cooperation with external organizations and neighboring coun-
tries
movement of migrants in rural border areas
opportunities of women to access relevant information
studying impacts of economic integration on women and children in specific sectors
procedure for future actions
planning how to assist migrant workers.
This list of content that should have been given more attention to could indicate that partici-
pants were keen to continue the last exercise on planning small steps first and getting into
more details of what needs to be done – rather than identifying missing content in the work-
shop as such.
5
All quotations in this section are taken from evaluation forms completed by the participants.
18. 17 Regional Economic Cooperation and Integration in Asia
Asked about what their institution could contribute to specifically improve the participation of
women in economic integration, participants came up with following responses:
Use what I Iearned in the workshop in my daily work
Design advocacy policy
Strengthen enforcement of labour laws
Initiate specific support projects
Stimulate concerned agencies to do their job
Develop a policy, strategy and action plan
Introduce better legislation to protect women
Make young women understand the impact of the Asian Economic Community 2015
and of economic integration
Disseminate new information in factories and the private sector
Stimulate job creation
Collect more statistical information on the issue
Enhance skills of female workers
Ensure women and children welfare in policy making
Promote women in the agricultural sector
Help women to participate in the economy.
In view of the diversity of institutions and organisations represented in the workshop, this is
an impressive list of potential contributions to improve the current situation of female migrant
workers.
Additionally, participants listed activities and next steps after returning to work. Many activi-
ties refer to informing peers, relatives and friends about the insights gained during the work-
shop. Applying a step-by-step approach to solutions, better implementing existing programs,
and designing a new program to assist female migrants by enhancing their skills and their
capacity to cope with economic development are other important commitments. Studying the
impact of regional economic integration on the labour market, developing a database with
information on female migration to be used by researchers as well as pushing for inclusion of
this topic at policy making level have been mentioned as well.
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