Turning Transnational?

International Migration and Development Prospects in the Philippines

With the support of the Commission for Filipinos Overseas (Office of the President), the National Economic and Development Authority, the Philippine Institute for Development Studies, the BMU Foundation and the Ayala Foundation, the Scalabrini Migration Center held a conference on the theme, “Turning Transnational? International Migration and Development Prospects in the Philippines” in Manila on 19-21 November 2008. The conference brought together actors and institutions working in the field of migration and those working in the development sector to reflect on the migration-development nexus in the Philippine context. The conference raised awareness about evidence, discussions and reflections on international migration and development in the global community among the various stakeholders, but especially national and local government institutions. The conference featured discussions of good practices in the field of international migration and development. Mexico’s experience provided a concrete example of the prospects (as well as the problems) posed by the migration-development nexus.

Presentations

• Welcome remarks, Fabio Baggio, SMC

• Keynote address, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, represented by Sec. Arturo Brion, DOLE

Session 1: International Migration and Development: Current Discussions in the International Community

• Migration and Development: state of current debate, Manolo Abella, ILO

Session 2: International Migration and Development in the Philippines: Findings (and Gaps) from Research

• The Determinants of Overseas Filipinos’ Remittances: Some Preliminary Findings, Michael Alba

• Economic Impact of International Migration on Households, Aniceto Orbeta, PIDS

• Through the Lens of Research: International Migration and Development in the Philippines, Marla Asis, SMC

Session 3: International Migration and Development in the Philippines: Policy Issues

• International Migration and Development in the Philippines: Policy Issues, Federico Macaranas, AIM

Session 4: International Migration and Development in the Philippines: Advocacy Issues

• Mobilizing the Support of Overseas Fil. Communities for National  Development, Teresita Manzala, DOLE

• International Migration and Development Advocacy Issues, Mai Anonueno, Atikha and Philcondev

• Lessons from 50 Years of Building Sustainable Rural Communities, Conrado "Ding" Navarro. PRRM

Session 5:  Good Practices in Migration and Development: Lessons from Mexico

• Coherent and Collaborative Policy Making on Migration and Development, Raul Delgado-Wise, Universidad de Zacatecas

• 3X1 and the Challanges of Productive Projects in Zacatecas, Mexico, Rodolfo Garcia Zamora, Universidad de Zacatecas

• Good Practices in Migration and Development: Lessons from Mexico, Carlos Gonzales Gutierrez, Institute for Mexican Abroad

Session 6: Engaging with Overseas Filipinos

• The Gawad Kalinga's project, Luis Oquinena, Gawad Kalinga

• Philippine Diaspora Philanthropy: Engaging the Global Filipino, Guillermo M. Luz, Ayala Foundation, Inc.

• Advancing Migrants Struggle for Rights and Justice. The MFA Experience, Lorena Macabuag, Migrant Forum in Asia

• Engaging and Strengthening Ties Between Overseas Filipinos andd the Philippine Motherland, Jennifer Gonzales, CFO

Session 7: Perspectives of Overseas Filipinos and Return Migrants

• Diaspora philanthropy: New Zealand Filipino Experience, John Richard Alayon, AUT University, New Zealand

• Filipino Women in Italy: Organizing for Change, Charito Basa, Filipino Women's Council

• Overcoming the discontents toward Filipinos’ international migration and development, Jeremaiah Opiniano, IMDI

• Summary and Recommendations, Marla Asis, SMC

• Message: Vice President Noli "Kabayan" De Castro