Migration phenomena have been widely studied in recent years because of the impact these movements have on societies. They represent changes in culture, economy, public services and security.
Many organizations and governments have labeled migrations as negative aspects of a crisis, but experts in the area agree that migrations are opportunities that help the development of countries. For this reason, they urge host countries to design plans to optimize the use of human capital.
During the virtual colloquium on the governance of diasporas in the Americas, organized by the Politics Center Academy affiliated to the Florida Global University, experts discussed the importance of including a productive plan that favors both the receiving country and the country of origin in any policies.
According to Felipe Muñoz, a specialist in international relations and migration, there are risks and costs associated with this type of mobility, but this should not lead to a negative perception of migration, but rather to a broadening of views. This way, countries can take advantage of the opportunities that these populations offer.
In Latin America and the Caribbean, some of the countries with the greatest migration are Nicaragua, Honduras, Guatemala, Haiti and Venezuela; the latter country has the biggest migratory phenomenon in the region, with a presence in 300 cities and 90 countries and with 20% of its population outside Venezuela.
The Venezuelan diaspora has changed the tendency in Colombia, which in past decades was considered an emigrant country rather than a receiving one. In addition to Colombia, Venezuelans have also settled in Latin American countries that in the past had a greater numbers of their population exiting than entering. But, as internationalist María Clara Robayo points out, Colombia has become a reference for the region and the world in terms of migration, receiving 40% of the Venezuelan exodus.
Colombia recently approved a temporary statute for the protection and regularization of Venezuelan migrants in an attempt to integrate, protect and benefit almost 2 million people. With this, the Colombian government ratifies the productive value of the diasporas, who not only consume resources, but can also bring growth to the economy through commerce and investment.
Robayo emphasized that Venezuelans have benefited from their integration and welcoming character throughout their history. They received people of different nationalities when other countries experienced wars or dictatorships. Now, many of the descendants are returning to the countries of their parents or grandparents.
Kathleen Newland, an expert in refugee and migration policy, stresses the importance of governments in the migration process. Administrations can help change the perspectives of migratory groups through neutral actions or manipulative speeches that cause the population in the country of origin to form erroneous, biased and xenophobic ideas.
According to Tomás Páez, coordinator of the global project of the Venezuelan Diaspora, both sides must be evaluated when talking about xenophobia. For instance, according to Nicolás Maduro the Venezuelan diaspora does not exist, downplaying the importance of the exodus of more than 5 million compatriots, demonstrating that negative speeches and actions can come from both the country of origin and the receiving country.
In the case of Venezuela, the government is not attempting to reactivate the relationship with the emigrant population. For the president of the Migration Policy Institute, Andrew Selee, this could influence the future decisions of people who may possibly return to Venezuela.
Selee predicts that the majority of the population that left Venezuela will not return to the country when the political and economic situation changes, given that over a period of years, people settle down professionally and form their own families.
Another aspect that Selee highlights is the educational background of the Venezuelan diaspora, which makes it stand out from other populations. This allows the human capital to possess greater initiative, determination and can be more easily integrated into societies.
Sociologist Gabriela Salas conducted studies in Argentina on the Venezuelan diaspora to look at integration, inclusion and level of entrepreneurship. For her, this population is differentiated by their qualifications, but to access better paid jobs they must validate degrees, which requires time and money. In the meantime, they are exposed to jobs without benefits.
In addition to inclusion and recognition for better jobs, sociologist Beatriz Padilla mentions the importance of emotional support for Venezuelans because, in general, this migrant population has difficulty living away from family and experiences feelings of obligation and guilt related to sending remittances to their relatives.
Experts on the subject insist on the need to humanize diasporas. To this end, governmental, institutional, business and university plans must be integrated to protect the lives of migrants.
Image credit: UNICEF Equador