Metropolis

Gaining from Migration -
A Global Perspective on Opportunities for
Economic and Social Prosperity

The Vienna conference will focus attention on the opportunities created by a responsible and broadly welcoming approach to immigration for both receiving and sending societies. Rather than formulating the policy agenda from a problem-driven perception - currently dominant in debates on immigrant minorities in Europe - a very different treatment of migration will flow from policies that embrace economic growth, positive demographic change and cultural diversity.

Conceiving migration in such a way can open up a twofold corridor for fresh thinking. On the one hand, ensuing integration and diversity policies will look different when geared towards setting free the potential for economic prosperity, transfer of knowledge, higher overall mobility and readiness for innovation. On the other hand, mutually beneficial management of migration links between sending and receiving societies might become a powerful tool for development in countries of emigration. How to manage enduring migration links between countries for mutual gain, and how to create responsiveness to the needs of the opposite side in such partnerships will be the major underlying concern of the conference.

8th International Metropolis Conference September 15-19, 2003 - Vienna, Austria

Welcome address

by Renate Brauner
City Councillor

Themes of the Conference

Four sub-themes will further highlight the overall theme

1. Managing Migration Globally -
Economic relations and political strategies

2. Regional integration and migration -
Europe's transformation in comparative perspective

3. Multilevel Governance of Migration and Diversity -
Challenges for political actors and civil society

4. Multiple dimensions of integration and diversity policies -
The urban perspective

top