Social Justice in an Open World: The Role of the United Nations
Discussions relating to the present thematic focus prompted the following questions: What are the economic, cultural and political conditions and tendencies that are likely to facilitate or hinder the continued increase in the numbers of successful inzernational migrants and members of the new cosmopolitan elite? Are international migrants increasingly at risk of becoming victims and of joining the growing ranks of the poor in both developed and developing countries? Along with the tightening of border controls and the ensuing increase in illegal immigration and unjustified demands for asylum, what are the factors that place international migrants at risk of discrimination, exploitation and poverty? Is there a relationship between the increase in the number of migrant workers, both legal and illegal, and the apparent deterioration in working conditions throughout the world? What other factors are at play? What are the main factors accounting for the successful or unsuccessful integration of immigrants in host countries? For example, does the possibility of returning home make a difference? Are migratory movements likely to become increasingly short-term, thereby modifying the terms of the debate on the social conditions of international migrants?
Theme 2: Building an orderly regime for international migrants: the role of international cooperation Topic 3: Assessing the prospects and limits of national policies, bilateral agreements and regional processes Most of the affluent countries in which the majority of migrant workers and asylumseekers hope to settle are presently trying to limit the number of foreigners entering their territories. The traditional destinations of migrants-the United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand-have become increasingly restrictive and selective. A drastic change in policy occurred in Western Europe in the mid-1970s, in the wake of the oil crisis. Many of the countries in this region had been actively recruiting manpower from abroad, but with the sharp decline in levels of economic growth, various measures were adopted and implemented during the last quarter of the twentieth century to limit the entry of foreign workers. However, at the same time-for humanitarian purposes, to facilitate the social integration of immigrants, and for a host of other reasons-developed countries opened their doors to allow "family reunification", a concept that was liberally interpreted and resulted in a large influx of immigrants. Violent and prolonged political conflicts and upheavals, notably in the former Yugoslavia, in Afghanistan, and in East Africa, generated a surge in demands for