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Partnerships between Governments
Inter-government partnerships often take the shape of bilateral
arrangements between countries of origin and countries of
destination to organize regular, orderly migration and, in some
cases, to promote integration. For example, the previouslymentioned
bilateral agreement between Spain and Ecuador
gives Ecuadorian citizens privileged access to the Spanish labour
markets. A number of participants discussed bilateral agreements
as effective mechanisms to meet the migration needs of both
countries of origin and destination and to afford protection for
the migrant. By opening up legal channels for migration bilateral
agreements may also help to reduce irregular migration and thus
help containing the associated risks for migrants and societies
alike. In turn, migrants in a regular status are in a better position
to be integrated into the destination society.
Bilateral arrangements often prepare migrants prior to their
journey, and sometimes involve a selection process whereby the
country of origin and destination may cooperate to screen and
select potential migrants and prepare migrants prior to departure.
In the country of destination, structures may be put in place to
protect the migrant and facilitate his or her insertion in the new
society and workplace. In addition, provisions are usually made
for return.
Many traditional countries of immigration, which often
continue to experience mainly permanent migration, enter into
partnerships with countries of origin. The Canadian immigration
and integration programme, for example, includes pre-departure
services in cooperation with countries of origin, delivered via
the “Canadian Orientation Abroad”, the “Going-to-Canada
Immigration Portal” and the “Newcomers’ Introduction to
Canada”. These services focus on selection and pre-arrival
preparation and are based on the notion that integration begins
in the home country.
Also relevant in this context are regional partnerships between
countries whose migration patterns are premised on geographical,
cultural or linguistic ties. For example, the Community of
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