PRESS RELEASE NO. 9

MANILA, Philippines, Oct. 28 —In a determined effort to empower civil society groups in their quest to protect the rights of the migrant workers, a foundation based in the United States has committed anew to launch an initiative on global migration and human mobility. 

Speaking before the 2^nd Global Forum on Migration and Development at the Philippine International Convention Center in Pasay City, Jonathan F. Fanton, president of the MacArthur Foundation, expressed his willingness to support the forum as well as the civil society groups in doing basic research and data collection to provide crucial inputs to the international policy agenda.  

“Solid data, objective research, thoughtful policy analysis—these are the goals of MacArthur’s program in migration and mobility. Those are the needs I have heard from many of you and we are committed to support you in your advocacy for the rights of the migrant workers,” Fanton said. 

Aside from supporting research, he said, MacArthur will support university centers, think tanks and civil society groups dedicated to connecting good information to policy makers and the public as a way to deepen and sharpen the discussion about migration. 

“Civil society is not a substitute for government, or for intergovernmental action, but it can offer expertise, energy, insights, and perspectives deeply grounded in the experience of ordinary people,” he said. 

He said that the MacArthur will also provide additional funds to disseminate ideas emerging from the 2^nd GFMD-Civil Society Days, including a new portal for research on migration and development. 

Citing the importance of the forum to maintain a link to the United Nations system, Fanton  said that the Foundation will also assist the Office of Peter Sutherland, Special Representative of the Secretary General for Migration and Development. 

“MacArthur is encouraged by the progress that has been made, ready to do what we can to further better international understanding and cooperation, and determined to empower civil society in its quest for a more just and welcoming world,” he added. 

Last year, he said, MacAthur responded to the recommendation from the first Global Forum that called for improved data on migration. 

Through the Center for Global Development in Washington, he said, MacArthur funded a Commission on Migration Data for Development, co-chaired by Lawrence Summers and Patricia Santo Tomas. He added that MacArthur is underwriting efforts with the U.S. and globally to develop codes of ethical conduct for recruiting healthcare workers across national boundaries. 

“We seek better protection of migrant rights in countries of destination, and mitigation of the consequences of brain drain on the health care systems of countries of origin,” he said, adding that the global code is now under consideration by the World Health Organization.