Conclusion to the course

This week, you looked at migration policy in more detail and sought to address issues of how migration policies are made – but also, to use the words of Castles, how they are ‘unmade’. You started by examining broad recommendations for achieving IG that centred on broadening and integrating policy, as well as joining up policies in different geographical areas.

The issue of different scales of governance was addressed next in examining how different actors in the migration governance process operate and often fail to interact and plan coherently. You then looked at policy implementation: policies may be appealing in theory but in the cut and thrust of ‘real-world’ politics they may get diverted or watered down.

You applied all this to migration policy and whether and how it could stimulate IG. Policymakers at the international level are in some agreement about joining up policies in various ways, which echoes the more general recommendations for achieving inclusive growth – different policy areas and geographical areas being more coherently connected over the longer term.

Then, you heard about policy interventions in the four MIAG countries and how the policies in Kenya, Ghana and Nigeria are good, and were arrived at in a consultative way. Mozambique is just embarking on its migration policy development – but the policy has the backing of the country’s President, so our expert was hopeful that it would succeed. In those countries with policies, their implementation has been uneven and varies between ministries, as well as between central and local levels of government. But in Week 2, you heard from other migration experts – Dilip, Heaven and Oliver – who were somewhat sceptical about what policies can ever really achieve, given the enormity of the problems they try to address. So, the key is to be selective about which policies might make a difference and which won’t.

Congratulations, you’ve finished studying the course. Now try the short end-of-course quiz [Tip: hold Ctrl and click a link to open it in a new tab. (Hide tip)]   to test your knowledge. Good luck!