Migration and Remittances in ECA: Challenges and Opportunites A Knowledge Sharing Series Sudharshan Canagarajah World Bank February 5, 2009

GDLN Dialogue on Migration Background: Developed in response to request of countries that want to know experiences on the subject around the world Objectives: Review current migration policies, practices and challenges faced by sending and receiving countries Draw lessons learned from some countries in other regions (Latin America and Asia) that have been successful in managing migration and want to maximize the development impacts of remittances Contribute inputs to the development of national anti- crises action plans where relevant

Agenda of the GDLN Migration series 6 events incorporating various electroinc communications tools and face-to-face discussion: video conferences linking countries with peers and experts worldwide complemented by off-line workshops online discussions between sessions provide continuity Participating countries: officials from Russia, Tajikistan, Kazakhstan, Moldova, Armenia, Kyrgyz Republic and international experts

Topics to be covered in program Overview of issues and policy options Addressing migration issues during the current global economic crisis What host countries can do to support migrant workers What sending countries can do to support migrant workers Making remittance flow more efficient and less costly Developing country relevant action plans to address migration and remittance issues

Medium Term Objectives For policy makers to present findings and exchange lessons To develop policy guidelines and approaches to make migration a win-win strategy. A regional policy workshop to bring together both senders and receivers to share their experience. Study tours to countries that have been successful in managing migration to learn from each other.