Over 232 million migrants – and a greater number of migrant diaspora, defined as also including children and grandchildren of migrants -currently contribute to the economic and social well-being of their countries of origin/heritage and destination worldwide – among them, some 72 million in Europe. Yet, migrants and diaspora are often not fully recognised as actors and subjects of sustainable human development, an increasing number of migrant and diaspora organisations have been stepping up and voicing their lived experience and perspectives on migration and development to policy-makers and the public. 

Millions of migrants in the world

Millions of migrants in Europe

The migration and development debate itself seems to be paved with misconceptions and simplifications often shared by policy makers, civil society organisations and the general public. Those misconceptions may sometimes be so prevalent that they may contribute to justify some policies. Yet, the (often minor) part of truth included in each myth does not make it an absolute truth. 

In the current context of political and social tension around migration issues and considering a manifest disregard of the migration and development nexus, this publication aims to provide European national and local civil society actors the necessary tools and arguments to tackle those misconceptions and hold open and public debates on the matter.

This awareness-raising tool was developed by the International Catholic Migration Commission (ICMC) Europe and the Forum des Organisations de Solidarité Internationale issues des Migrations (FORIM), in collaboration with CONCORD, under the framework of the Civil society Alliance Project of the European Year for Development. The project is co-funded by the European Commission, Fondation de France and the French Development Agency (AFD).

The views expressed and information provided in this publication do not necessarily reflect the views of the donors and are the sole responsibility of its authors.