Diasporastudy Morocco
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Development activities of Moroccan migrant organisations in Germany 11 The study was carried out by the Migration for Development programme on behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Eco- nomic Cooperation and Development (BMZ). Around the world, societies are changing and individuals are on the move: around 250 million people currently live outside their country of origin. This evolving situation presents opportunities for all concerned: diversity and exchange across na- tional borders provide impetus for economic, political and social progress – both in host countries and in countries of origin. Migrants themselves play an important role in building bridges between countries. Through their expertise, ideas, experi- ence and contacts, they stimulate sustainable change. In a variety of ways, they help their countries of origin to remain competitive, while simultaneously shaping society in their host countries. This interaction offers great potential for develop- ment. On behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), we support the activities of migrants from emerging and developing countries and advise our partner countries on how to use migration to advance sustainable development. The Migration for Development programme focuses on four areas of activity: Knowledge transfer through returning experts Cooperation with diaspora organisations Migrants as entrepreneurs Migration policy advice Stefan Metzger*1 26 May 2015 * A qualified social scientist and graduate of the nstitutI d’Études Politiques (IEP) Lille and of the Univerity of Münster (WWU), Stefan Metzger is undertaking his doctoral studies at the WWU’s Institute of Political Science. He authors academic papers and reports on issues of migration and integration policy. Read his research blog at www. imabseits.org and contact him at [email protected] 2 Contents Summary 4 Introductory remarks 5 1. Introduction 6 2. Methodology 8 3. Findings 9 3.1 The history of Moroccan migration to Germany 9 3.2 Structures and features of Moroccan migrants in Germany 12 3.3 Moroccan state policy with regard to Moroccan migrants living in Germany 15 3.4 Development activities of Moroccan migrant organisations in Germany 18 4. Conclusions and recommendations for action 26 5. Bibliography 28 Annex: List of identified migrant organisations in Germany involved in development activities 32 3 Summary The starting point for this report is the central role that Moroc- in development cooperation. Since the 1990s, Morocco has can migrants living abroad play in the development of Moroc- been undergoing a process of liberalisation and modernisation, co. Money transfers to Morocco by the more than four million enabling the many Moroccan migrants living in Germany to individuals abroad equate to more than four times the volume participate in the development of their country of origin. At the of public development funding provided to the country. In ad- same time, these migrants now increasingly have the necessary dition, Moroccan migrants also contribute to their country’s de- resources at their disposal to engage in development activities velopment through their engagement in development activities within migrant organisations. As a result, Moroccan migrants within migrant organisations. This report examines the scope and their offspring in Germany offer substantial potential from and nature of development activities carried out by Moroccan a development policy perspective that can be further nurtured migrant organisations in Germany. In summary, these organisa- and promoted through appropriate supporting activities. Con- tions have become increasingly involved in development initia- sequently, greater account should be taken of the wide range of tives since the early 2000s. Their work has been, and continues Moroccan migrant organisations in Germany, promoting them to be, faciliated by opportunity structures in Germany and as partners in development cooperation. This applies not only Morocco and by transformations of the Moroccan migrant to Moroccan community organisations and graduate associa- community. Since the turn of the millennium, Germany has tions, but also to student initiatives, women’s groups and youth recognised (Moroccan) migrant organisations as partners in its organisations. integration policy and increasingly promoted them as partners 4 Introductory remarks This paper summarises the findings of and stages involved in Research discussions were also held with experts from the compiling the expert report ‘Mapping and study of the develop- spheres of policy-making, development cooperation and social ment activities of Moroccan migrant organisations in Germany’ work. Finally, quantitative data obtained from government sta- on behalf of the Centre for International Migration and Devel- tistics was evaluated alongside the relevant academic literature. opment (CIM)1. The study had two key research objectives: to Two products were created for the commissioning party. The identify Moroccan migrant organisations engaged in promoting first was a mapping resource for internal use consisting of a list the development of their country of origin within the context of contacts of Moroccan migrant organisations in Germany of migration from Morocco to Germany (the mapping); and involved in development activities and brief profiles of these to provide an overview of the history, structures and work of organisations, including their respective missions. The second the actors involved in development activities and of Moroccan was the present study of the development activities of Moroccan migrants as a group (the study). migrant organisations in Germany. As part of the report, research was undertaken between January and May 2015 to identify key Moroccan migrant organisa- tions actively involved in development initiatives in Germany. Qualitative interviews were conducted during this period with representatives of these organisations. 1 The Centre for International Migration and Development (CIM) is a joint operation by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusam- menarbeit (GIZ) GmbH and the German Federal Employment Agency. 5 1Introduction On 21 May 1963, the Federal Republic of Germany signed Moroccan migrants living abroad are vitally important in the a recruitment agreement with the Kingdom of Morocco to eyes of their country of origin. More people have emigrated govern the migration of workers from Morocco to Germany. from Morocco than from any other country in the Maghreb or, This agreement is usually viewed as the beginning of Moroccan indeed, from many countries around the world (Lacroix 2005: migration to Germany. The 50th anniversary of the agreement 19, Martin et al. 2006: 123). Over four million people – one signing was used as an opportunity to refocus attention on mi- in nine Moroccans – live outside of Morocco (de Haas 2013: gration by Moroccans to Germany. In the federal state of North 75). Remittances to Morocco by Moroccan migrants alone Rhine-Westphalia in particular a large number of cultural events were estimated in 2012 to be equivalent to more than four were organised in early 2013, including readings of children’s times the volume of public development funding provided to books, a photo competition, debates and exhibitions. A two-day the country (World Development Indicators 2015). According event commemorating Moroccan migration was held in Berlin to World Bank figures, a total of USD 6.5 billion was trans- in June 2013 under the auspices of King Mohammed VI, ferred to Morocco in 2012, the equivalent of almost 7 per cent jointly organised by the German-Morrocan Competence Net- of the country’s gross domestic product (World Bank 2015). work (Deutsch-Marokkanisches Kompetenznetzwerk (DMK)) Moroccan migrants contribute to Morocco’s development and the Centre for International Migration and Development through a range of activities in their host countries: as well as (CIM). Attended by political representatives from Morocco money transfers and investments, these include programmes and Germany, including President of the German Bundestag to improve local infrastructure, social, cultural and political Norbert Lammert, it paid tribute to the lifetime achievements projects, and the transfer of knowledge and expertise. Morocco of thousands of Moroccan migrants, whose stories and history is increasingly reaping the benefits of its workers being trained appear to have largely faded from German collective memory and its students completing degree programmes abroad: accord- (Charchira 2013).2 ing to the Federal Statistical Office, 5,169 Moroccan students were registered at German higher education institutions at the According to current figures, 153,000 individuals with a beginning of 2012/2013 academic year (Federal Statistical Of- Moroccan migration background are now living in Germany, fice 2013a: 55). Most of these students return to Morocco, tak- 67,000 of whom were born in the Federal Republic (Federal ing with them their newly acquired skills (Khachani 2005: 15, Statistical Office 2013a). Almost two thirds of these 153,000 inter alia), though even those students and skilled workers who individuals have German citizenship. Despite their significant remain abroad are increasingly setting up organisations and net- numbers, this group of migrants is either overshadowed in works to pass on their knowledge to Morocco. Partnerships are the public consciousness by larger migrant groups, such as the being forged between universities,