Social Justice in an Open World: The Role of the United Nations
facilities and support for obtaining travel and work documents and for acquiring nationality in the country seeking his or her contribution to its prosperity and prestige. This group represents the traditional brain drain from developing to developed countries. When these migrants return, or simply through the role they play in various international networks, they also represent a source of development for developing countries. At the other end of the spectrum are the poor, desperate individuals who often use smugglers to try and reach countries where they hope to secure employment and an income; the members of this group are frequently victims of exploitation. In this "victim" category are also many of the women "imported" for domestic work in countries that do not grant them the protection to which every human being is entitled. The number of people who are forced to leave their homes and countries for reasons ranging from violent conflicts to drought and starvation is increasing. Their poverty and vulnerability derive from their lack of financial resources, lack of skills in current demand, and lack of social connections. They constitute the proletariat of international migration. In between is a third group that probably constitutes the majority of international migrants. These individuals do not have the range of options enjoyed by the "aristocracy" of international migrants; however, they are not, strictly speaking, forced to leave their countries by events or circumstances beyond their control. They represent the "average" migrant worker, always at risk but not helpless. In poor cities and villages they are often the most able and dynamic residents, who decide to seek work and income opportunities abroad, sometimes in distant lands. Some return home, usually with savings to invest, and some settle in their new countries for an indefinite period or for good. Those who fail join the victims of international migration; those who succeed achieve a greater degree of control over their lives and provide their children with a decent education and a chance for upward mobility. A rather common set of perceptions, especially in developed countries, is that foreign immigrants are too numerous, have difficulty respecting the laws and customs of the host country, and compete with nationals for employment. They are seen as a source of problems, or at best as beneficiariesof the societies that receive them, but rarely as contributors to those societies. It seems that their contributions, even from the obvious economic perspective, are always recognized after the fact, with the passage of time. Locals regard foreigners with suspicion, especially when they have a different appearance, language or religion, and already settled immigrants do not automatically welcome newcomers, as the latter are often perceived a$ competitors for jobs. The history of international migration is replete with cases of discrimination and exploitation. Discussions relating to the present thematic focus prompted the following questions: