Since the earliest times, humanity has been on the move. Some people move in search of work or economic opportunity, to join family, or to study. Others move to escape conflict, persecution, or large-scale human rights violations. Still others move in response to the adverse effects of climate change, natural disasters, or other environmental factors.
Today, more people than ever live in a country other than the one in which they were born. The global number of international migrants was estimated to be 281 million. International migrants comprise some 3.5 per cent of the global population, compared to 2.8 per cent in 2000 and 2.3 per cent in 1980.
But what means exactly a migrant?
A migrant is someone who has chosen to leave their own country to seek a better life in a different country. This could be due to a variety of reasons including wanting a new job, to study at school or university, or to move closer to family. Many migrants also take their family with them to their new country.
However, not everyone chooses to leave their country. Sadly, many countries are experiencing war and conflict, meaning people are forced to leave their country for their own safety. These people are called refugees. For some families, it's safer to flee their country to have a safe, peaceful life in another country. There are also many other reasons why people are forced out of their homes, such as natural disasters. Earthquakes, hurricanes, and tsunamis can destroy people's lives and towns, forcing them to start their lives again in a safer country.
Migrants and the SDGsThe 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development recognizes that migration is a powerful driver of sustainable development, for migrants and their communities. It brings significant benefits in the form of skills, strengthening the labor force, investment and cultural diversity, and contributes to improving the lives of communities in their countries of origin through the transfer of skills and financial resources.
First of all, the first goal to harness the development potential of migration is the tenth that is reduced inequalities to ensure safer, more orderly and regular migration. The second goal of migration or instead one of the reasons that they move from their houses it’s to pull themselves out of poverty, first goal of the SDG’s, thus, to find better opportunities.
Secondly, the reasons that peoples move from home may be by the different natural hazards, environmental conditions linked to climate change. This is connected to thirteenth and fourteenth goals which is the climate action and the life below water’s goal. These problems are one of these reasons that why people must move, and since these last years the climate change increase which leads to an increase of migration because of the natural destroyed.
The third fact about the migration it’s to know what the advantages from migration for people are, in countries or in cities from migration. About the eighth goal which is the decent work and economic growth’s goal, peoples, cities, and countries gain on knowledges, skills and experience bring by migrants who gain also in skills, experiences, and knowledges, it's give-and-take. They also play a vital role in building diverse and productive society and about the quality education’s goal that help people realize their personal aspiration and educational potential.
Finally, the only way to success as this positive circle of migration is to fostering peace and security, ensuring equal access to justice and protection from exploitation for all for the sixteenth goal. We must build strong partnerships in our cities within our countries and regions and international cooperation to complete the seventeenth goal which is “Partnerships for the goals”.
“Leave no-one behind”