Forum on Agriculture, Rural Development and Migration in the Mediterranean: a better understanding of the drivers and impacts for forward-looking policies and programmes

29 May 2018, Rome. International migration and its impacts on both origin and destination countries have become major concerns in national, regional and international political agendas. Governments, development cooperation agencies, international organisations and NGOs have addressed the stakes of migration in order to formulate possible long-term solutions.

In such context, the International Centre for Advanced Mediterranean Agronomic Studies (CIHEAM), and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the European University Institute (EUI) – Global Governance Programme and the Secretariat of the Union for the Mediterranean (UfM) are willing to set up a comprehensive framework for rural migrations in the Mediterranean from the perspective of rural and agricultural development.

Jointly organised by the CIHEAM, FAO, UfMS and EUI – Global Governance Programme, the “Forum on Agriculture, Rural Development and Migration in the Mediterranean: a better understanding of the drivers and impacts for forward-looking policies and programmes” will take place on 29 May 2018 – from 9.30 am to 5.00 pm at FAO Headquarters.

The event is aimed at discussing different perspectives and challenges associated with rural migratory dynamics, providing policy recommendations and the establishment of a regional multi-stakeholder platform including decision-makers, CIHEAM and its partners. The event will bring together experts from international organisations, development cooperation agencies, research institutions, policy practitioners and civil society organisations, with the purpose of debating the following issues:

• How can investigating and investing in agricultural and rural development help address the adverse drivers of rural migration?
• What are the impacts of emigration on rural areas and communities of origin? What are the differential impacts on women and men of different ages and of different socio-economic backgrounds?
• What scenarios and what feasible strategies can help pursue sustainable rural development in a context of ongoing environmental and societal changes? In particular, with the aim of tackling the desertification of rural areas, the lack of agricultural workforce and generational renewal?
• What is the effectiveness of existing programmes addressing rural poverty in origin areas and what are the consequences regarding migration?
• What is the effectiveness of existing programmes and schemes enhancing the integration of migrants in destination countries as well as the contribution of migrants to rural development of countries of origin?

For more information, please contact the Higher Education and Reseach Division: education@ufmsecretariat.org