Migration and Development: Sharing knowledge between Norway and Poland (MiDeShare)

There is a widespread perception that development is the best way to stop mass migration from Global South to Europe. Yet the relationship between the two is more complex – rising incomes and growing economies can both hamper as well as facilitate emigration from developing countries.

Increased economic growth can lead to less migration, but not in isolation from broader development processes, including legitimate and transparent institutions and credible democratization that increases citizens’ trust in their states and their own long-term well-being. This means we need to better understand this relationship to design and implement development cooperation policy that address real root causes of migration in weak and fragile states.

Norway is an experienced donor with hard-learned lessons on the impact of development assistance, including how it may affect migration patterns. Poland is an interesting case study in itself as it undergoes transformation from emigration to immigration country. Poland is also expanding its development cooperation policy to focus more on root causes of migration in Africa and Middle East. This gives the two countries an excellent opportunity to share their experiences and develop more effective responses to challenges in EU neighborhood.