CHANGING THE PERSPECTIVE ON MIGRATION: FROM PROBLEM TO SOLUTION

Originally published in Forbes Argentina.

By María Mérola and Kenny Clewett, co-directors of Hello World at Ashoka

In a global scenario where human mobility increases decade after decade, we have the opportunity to shift from seeing this situation as a problem, to treating it as an opportunity for economic growth and resource generation.

A key element that connects the most relevant innovation processes is that specific moment when small changes are identified and put into action that move mountains. Malcolm Gladwell, in his already classic early-century book, spoke of these moments as tipping points: relatively simple modifications that unlock large movements, that change an industry or society forever, exponentially accelerating the rate of change. Sometimes, the modifications that constitute the tipping point are a small set of objective facts or events, but other times they can be defined as a change in beliefs or perspectives. In his book, Gladwell presents examples of complex social processes, such as the radical decline in adolescent suicides in Southeast Asia or the approach to smoking in the United States, to explain how these changes evolve over time and, suddenly, in a nearly magical moment, they explode irreversibly "like a wildfire."

Ashoka, the pioneering international organization in innovation and social entrepreneurship, has been building expertise in the field of global migration through 8 years of research and work, first in Europe and Latin America, and later globally through the Hello World initiative. We are at a historic opportunity. In a global scenario where human mobility increases decade after decade, accelerated by violent outbreaks, political-institutional instability, or processes like climate change, we have the opportunity, with a small change of perspective, to move from seeing this situation as a problem that destabilizes our systems to treating it as one of the greatest opportunities for economic growth and resource generation in our era. Our experience in this field shows us that increased migration brings the opportunity to unlock resources that benefit all members of our societies. Will we have the chance to witness a tipping point in global migration?

On October 1st, a new Director-General, the American Amy Pope, took office at the International Organization for Migration. Pope, a diplomatic advisor to President Biden on migration issues, made it very clear in her early days in the role:

“Migration is a potential solution to the challenges facing societies, rather than just another problem. There is very solid evidence that, when migration is managed well, the outcomes are extremely positive."

And she is not a lone voice: The World Bank, in its latest annual report, explains how migration has always been a powerful engine for development and is today a key tool for countries at all income levels to increase their prosperity. ECLAC (Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean) has also published a detailed study showing how, in the context of significant growth in mobility within our region, migration contributes to the much-needed economic growth in Latin America. Citing the report, in neighboring Chile, migration has contributed to demographic, labor, and economic dynamics like no other social phenomenon, in a context of demographic transition that demands it. In short: there is no sustainable economic growth possible for our countries in Latin America without a significant volume of migration.

Of course, the mobilization of many people and their successful integration into the communities that receive them also entails a series of complex challenges for governments and societies, which in many cases lack the tools to do so, and ignoring them would be nothing short of foolish. But these are just part of the story, which, however, is the most told and repeated in increasingly misinformed public debates.

In this context, what would a new migration paradigm look like? At Ashoka, we carried out this exercise of imagination and projection by interviewing those who know the most about innovation: the social entrepreneurs in our global network. They are all implementing practical and proven solutions that address migration-related challenges, such as connecting migrant talent with suitable jobs, facilitating integration processes through shared learning, or streamlining access to resources and investment for migrant entrepreneurs. When analyzing their solutions, we found significant similarities and an opportunity-focused mindset that guided their work. This translates to a shift in perspective that, as we noticed, changes the way migration is addressed, producing better outcomes, and can be summarized in four key changes.

First, it is essential to consider both people on the move and those receiving them as powerful agents of change who contribute to the common good. Then, we need to resist the false dichotomy of separating migrants from those who stay, recognizing migration as a shared experience and an opportunity for positive change. Third, it is key to consider the perspectives, knowledge, and resources created by people on the move and their communities as highly valuable for the welfare and progress of societies. Finally, we must recognize that people on the move constitute fluid communities and identities, which are powerful vehicles for the changes our societies need.

All of this is summarized in the publication "People on the Move," which also contains interviews and insights from more than 45 social innovators and leaders worldwide in this field.

Latin America has a long history with migration, and in recent decades it has also become a zone of vibrant intra-regional migration, as well as return migration in some countries. When we consider migration as one of our best opportunities and migrants as change agents who bring economic well-being and progress to our society, we have the opportunity to see the birth and growth of initiatives such as Nippy, a platform offering services and benefits for independent workers in the gig economy, mostly migrants. Or Migraflix, the Brazilian startup founded by an Argentine, which creates sustainable business units formed by migrant workers who have recently arrived in Brazil from all over the world, valuing their own culture and customs. But most importantly, we have the opportunity to tell the world a different story about current migration: a story that is not based on border militarization, human rights violations, scarcity management, and social conflict, but rather on the intelligent use of resources, opportunities, and innovations that people carry with them every time they choose to move.

IT IS ESSENTIAL TO CONSIDER BOTH PEOPLE ON THE MOVE AND THOSE RECEIVING THEM AS POWERFUL AGENTS OF CHANGE WHO CONTRIBUTE TO THE COMMON GOOD.

You can read the article in Spanish, originally published on Forbes Argentina.