Each year, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) releases its World Migration Report. In 2000, it wrote that “it is estimated that there are more migrants in the world than ever before.” Between 1985 and 1990, the IOM calculated, that the rate of growth of world migration (2.59%) outstripped the rate of growth of the world population (1.7%). This year’s report notes that there are “roughly 281 million people worldwide” who are on the move. This is 3.6% of the global population. It is triple the 84 million people on the move in 1970 and much higher than the 153 million people in 1990. “Global trends point to more migration in the future,” notes the IOM. Based on detailed studies, the IOM finds that the rise in migration can be attributed to three factors: war, economic precarity and climate change.
Vijay Prashad, the Executive-Director of Tricontinental Institute for Social Research, will examine the causes and implications of these massive global migrations. Prashad is author of The Darker Nations: A People's History of the Third World, Washington Bullets, and nearly 40 other books. Prashad has taught at Trinity College in the U.S., the American University in Beirut and at Renmin University of China. He is Chief Editor of LeftWord Books, correspondent for Globetrotter Media and columnist for Frontline.