IN AFRICA II. The strategic framework for managing migration MIGRATION FOR DEVELOPMENT IN AFRICA 9. Cross-cutting issues 9.1 Migration and development The growth in international migration has presented challenges and opportunities alike for both migrant sending and host countries, and the migrants concerned. There is now ample evidence of the complex linkages between migration and development, and a growing understanding of these linkages. With respect to migrant sending countries, some of the potential negatives associated with migration include: (a) the loss of skilled workers (brain drain) and resultant negative impact on the quality of service delivery in essential services and reduced growth (b) the potential for inflation in the local economy due to remittances. On the other hand, the opportunities presented by migration include the inflow of remittances which are a major source of foreign currency and have potential for international balance of payments support, alleviating unemployment in sending countries, investments from Diasporas, increased potential for trade flows between sending and host countries and philanthropic activities of individuals in the Diaspora and/or home town associations that can assist in relief and development. For migrant receiving countries, the most obvious benefits include brain gain, without incurring the costs of education and training. Xenophobia can be a problem in migrant receiving countries, which in some cases can involve physical attacks on non-nationals. This not only impacts negatively on the social integration of migrants, but also regional integration and inter-State relations. Therefore, given the impact of migration on the socio-economic landscape in both migrant sending and receiving countries, it is incumbent upon States (and RECs) to minimise the adverse impact of migration while maximising its benefits through the deliberate and conscious mainstreaming of migration issues in development frameworks. Mainstreaming migration in economic development planning entails assessing the implications of migration on the goals, objectives and activities of national/ regional development plans, with a view to improving overall development outcomes. It requires integrating migration concerns at all stages of development planning, including design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation. This ensures that migration is viewed as an issue that affects all aspects of human development, and is entrenched in the broader development strategy and therefore fosters a coherent approach rather than piecemeal, uncoordinated actions. This process, in essence, constitutes migration and development. 69