GMG MIGRATION AND DEVELOPMENT DATA HANDBOOK Frank Laczko, IOM and

GMG MIGRATION AND DEVELOPMENT DATA HANDBOOK Frank Laczko, IOM and Bela Hovy, UNDESA Co-Chair s GMG Data and Research Working Group. Platform for Partnerships, Global Forum on Migration and Development, Istanbul, October 16th, 2015.

BACKGROUND: HLD 2013 CALLS FOR BETTER MIGRATION DATA The Declaration of the High-level Dialogue on International Migration and Development: Emphasized “the need for reliable statistical data on international migration, and noted “migration data could facilitate the design of evidence-based policy and decisionmaking in all relevant aspects of sustainable development”. No agreement on a global action plan; but GMG workplan include “providing guidance and support to States in collecting and analysing data on migration and development”.

PAUCITY OF DATA ON MIGRATION RECOGNIZED The 2009 “Migrants Count” report highlighted a lack of detailed, comparable, disaggregated data on migrant stocks and flows Censuses main source of migration data but sometimes infrequent. Data not timely or fully analysed. UN 2013– “number of countries that could provide statistics on international migration flows remains extremely low”.

SINCE 2009 GLOBAL CONTEXT HAS CHANGED New data sources - growing recognition of the importance of “Big Data”. The High Level Panel of Eminent Persons on the post-2015 development agenda calls for a “development data revolution” . Migration now included in SDG framework – how will migration be monitored globally, regionally and nationally ?

THE GLOBAL ‘DATA REVOLUTION’

A WORLD THAT COUNTS – REPORT OF DATA REVOLUTION GROUP, 2014. “Ultimately, the better the data available in the development field, the higher the quality of people’s lives in poor countries”. (Bill Gates, 2013). Whole groups of people are not being counted Growing inequalities in access to data Existing data remain unused Volume of data increasing exponentially

MIGRATION AND THE SDGS Migration included in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Several references to remittances, trafficking, and need for “orderly, planned and well-managed” migration policies, etc. “Nobody should be left behind”– including migrants - data should be disaggregated according to migratory status. Difficult to measure progress towards goals/targets unless you have reliable, consistent, and comparable statistical data

HANDBOOK OBJECTIVES 1. Provide practical guidance to policymakers and practitioners on the measurement of international migration and its impact on development. 2. Bring together in one place the collective experience of the GMG. 3. Highlight and share information on innovative practices and lessons learned.

SCOPE Contributions from 15 GMG agencies Broad range of themes – 16 chapters Divided into 4 key sections

HANDBOOK STRUCTURE 16 chapters using common template Key policy issues – introduction to theme. Data needed to analyse the topic Existing standards and sources for data collection Examples of good practice Recommendations to address data gaps

BENEFITS OF USING THE HANDBOOK Summarizes existing standards and definitions for the collection of migration data. Provides an international overview of the main sources of migration data and inventory of existing data. Provides examples of good practice for the collection of migration data and their use in policy-making. Assesses the progress that has been made in implementing global standards and guidelines. Summarizes key recommendations that countries should follow when collecting migration data.

SOME LESSONS LEARNED Several examples of innovative practices which could be potentially replicated. New data sources such as “Big Data” yet to be fully exploited by GMG and States, although several innovative examples. Data guidelines lacking in several policy fields including, migrants in crisis situations, stranded migrants, migrants in detention, etc.

WAY FORWARD: NEXT STEPS How to ensure that the handbook is widely read and used ? GMG data training courses ? Development of training modules Create database of tools/links to data guides and practices. Pilot projects to test handbook and assess data capacities ?

CONCLUDING REMARKS The 2030 Agenda has placed statistics development at the centre of the global development agenda. It is essential that migration data are mainstreamed into national development data plans. The GMG Migration and Development Data Handbook can contribute to this effort.