Parlons Développement 7ème Edition : « La migration : Levier de développement territorial ? »

The COVID-19 pandemic has triggered an unprecedented crisis in a short period, negatively impacting the global economy, social progress, and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The Policy Centre for the New South, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and the World Bank see these uncertainties and the current crisis as a new opportunity for collective reflection on the major challenges of sustainable development. To contribute to national discussions on the challenges and issues of this crisis, the Policy Centre for the New South, UNDP, and the World Bank are offering a series of virtual dialogues bringing together national and international stakeholders and experts to discuss the challenges of sustainable development—in its social, economic, and environmental dimensions—and the opportunities presented by the 2030 Agenda as a roadmap for emerging from the crisis stronger and more resilient. The "Let's Talk Development" series of meetings is being held with various partners to closely address the concerns of young people and the general public and to stimulate a rich debate on the key lessons learned from the COVID-19 crisis. As part of this seventh edition of "Let's Talk Development," organized in partnership with the Khouribga Multidisciplinary Faculty, Sultan Moulay Slimane University, experts will be invited to discuss migration as a driver of development at the local level. The Beni Mellal-Khénifra region possesses significant natural and economic potential. It is an agricultural region and a phosphate-producing area. The region is also characterized by a migratory basin marked by high levels of human mobility, both nationally and internationally, with a large community of Moroccans living abroad who originate from the region and reside in many European countries. Finally, in recent years, there has been a growing presence in the region of migrants from Sub-Saharan Africa, Asia, and Arab countries. The region is also known for the phenomenon of irregular migration, popularized by the expression "triangle of death," due to the high number of deaths on the routes taken to enter Europe, particularly among young people from the provinces of Khouribga, Beni Mellal, and Fquih Ben Salah. In this context, a migration policy is being developed at the regional level to promote the regional governance of migration. Indeed, defining a migration policy is among Morocco's political priorities, and several public bodies and institutions are involved in managing migration issues and implementing this policy at the regional level. What is the role of national and international actors in the deployment of migration policy at the regional level? How can synergies between national and international actors be fostered, and how can their experiences and interventions be leveraged for the benefit of the regions and their populations? What is the socio-economic impact of migration on regional development? What lessons can be learned from the actions of NGOs and international organizations in the Khouribga-Fkih Ben Saleh-Beni Mellal migration basin? Based on these questions, the objective of this meeting is to foster shared reflection among the various stakeholders and students on intervention approaches, their interactions, and their contribution to local migration policy.