Our Approach

Migration today

Migration is inherent to human nature. Revolutions in communication, transportation and rights of individuals to stay abroad have facilitated movement of peoples across borders in order to seek better lives and to overcome hardships. More countries are now significantly involved in, and affected by, international migration than at any time in history. 

Remittances represent one well-known element. Globally, remittances are conservatively estimated to impact 700 Million people and total almost US$300 Billion per year, of which only US$93 Billion pass through formal channels. The money migrants send to the developing world exceeds the total of all international aid combined. But this is far from the whole story.  Migrants also bring important skills and know-how. They inspire new ways of thinking about social and political issues.  They form a dynamic human link between cultures, economies, and societies. 

The private sector contributes to this migration-development process through employment, human capital, finance, technology and intellectual property, supply chains, cutting-edge business practices, policy influence, in-country networks, and other relevant expertise.

When the above elements are harnessed constructively, they can have a profound effect on development. More and more people are excited about the ways in which migrants can help transform both their adopted and their native countries.  It is increasingly understood that governments can cooperate with each other and the private sector to create triple wins—for migrants, for their countries of origin, and for the societies that receive them. This reality should not be ignored; integrating migration dimensions should be a core component of every development, trade, foreign policy, and corporate strategy.

The NEXUS Approach

The NEXUS Migration and Development Initiative specifically recognizes that the interest and impact of the private sector should be better reflected in those migration-related processes that have traditionally been considered the concern of government, specialised agencies and academia.

Indeed, the ability of governments to work with private companies and civil society actors has become another essential link in a viable migration-development value chain - one where private sector interests meet priority public sector objectives and the interests of the migrants themselves.

The NEXUS approach is unique in focussing on combining private sector inputs with the resources, expertise and creativity of a range of players in the area of migration and development. These alliances unite the distinct interests, skills and resources of each partner - and apply them to problems that no actor could solve alone. Together, they can provide a significant share of funds, human capital, expertise and other resources for global development. And when such partnerships are properly supported, we are better positioned than ever to confront the challenges of migration, and seize its opportunities.

Because such public-private alliances bring scale, effectiveness and innovation to development efforts they can help to make migration more effective, and accelerate progress towards the Millennium Development Goals.

NEXUS is clearly built on seeing international migration through the prism of opportunity, rather than of fear.  We focus on magnifying the positive, mutually beneficial aspects of migration: on sharing experiences between the public and private spheres, developing practical ideas, building partnerships.