This book investigates the role and influence of non-state actors (NSAs) and local authorities in the process leading to the adoption of the 2018 Global Compact for Migration (GCM), the first intergovernmental negotiation of its kind at the UN. The research draws upon methods initially applied to assess global climate negotiations, and for the first time analyzes the influence of NSAs and local authorities in an international negotiation on migration. It builds on an assessment of the state of the art on global migration governance, adding new perspectives and insights. The analysis of the influence of NSAs and local authorities is backed by an online survey of participating stakeholders, interviews with key actors, and hundreds of other primary sources obtained from the process. The author finds that the UN system’s willingness to onboard NSAs was key to creating the GCM as it stands today. While the research finds little direct influence from NSAs during the negotiations, the first draft of the GCM was very much informed by their input. Local authorities, still new to the global stage, made the case for their further inclusion in global migration governance.
Author(s): Raphaela Schweiger
Series: Studien zur Migrations- und Integrationspolitik
Publisher: Springer VS
Year: 2023
Language: English
Pages: 312
City: Wiesbaden
Foreword
Abstract
Contents
Abbreviations
List of Figures
List of Tables
1 Introduction
1.1 In Brief: What is the GCM?
1.2 Why Research the Role and Influence of NSAs and Local Authorities?
1.3 Goals of this Book and Research Question
1.4 Key Findings
1.5 Overview of Chapters
2 Key Concepts, Theory, and the Emergence of Global Migration Governance
2.1 Actors Other than States in the International (Governance) System
2.1.1 Understanding Global Governance
2.1.2 International Relations Theories and Actors Other than States
2.1.3 Non-state Actors’ Emergence in the International System
2.2 The Emergence of a Global Governance on Migration
2.2.1 The Early Stages of Migration Governance: Building Norms and Institutions (1919–1989)
2.2.2 The Emergence of Conversations, New Approaches and Stock-taking on the Global Level (1990–2006)
2.2.3 The Era of Migration and Development (2006–2015)
2.2.4 Setting up a New Architecture for Global Migration Governance: The New York Declaration, the GCM and GCR (2015–2018)
2.2.5 Post GCM and GCR: Insecure Times of Implementation, Review, and Follow-up
2.3 Understanding the actors under investigation
2.3.1 Non-state actors
2.3.2 Individual Non-state Actor Groups and their Role in Migration Governance
2.3.3 Similar but Different: Local Authorities as Actors in Migration Governance
3 Framework of Analysis
3.1 Measuring Influence—A Broader Concept and Approach for Social Sciences
3.1.1 Defining “influence”
3.1.2 Influence in Relation to Power
3.1.3 How NSAs Exert Influence
3.1.4 How Actors Collaborate: Transnational Advocacy Coalitions and Networks
3.2 Triangulation as an Approach to Assess Influence
3.2.1 Time Period and Actors Under Investigation
3.2.2 Data Types
3.2.3 Data Sources
3.2.4 Analyzing NSA and City Influence in the GCM Process
3.3 Methodological Challenges
4 The Role and Influence of Non-State Actors in the GCM Process
4.1 The Access, Activities, and Opportunities for Non-State Actors to Transmit Information
4.1.1 The GCM Process and its Framework for Stakeholder Participation
4.1.2 Previous Processes Preparing Stakeholder Engagement
4.1.3 The Activities of Non-State Actors to Transmit Information
4.2 Leverages and Resources of Non-State Actors
4.2.1 The Role of the Co-Facilitators
4.2.2 Non-state Actors Taking on the Role of Experts, Rather than Advocates
4.2.3 Advocacy Coalitions
4.2.4 Multi-stakeholder Alliances
4.2.5 Challenges and Limitations to Participation and Access of NSAs
4.3 Goal Attainment of Non-State Actors
4.3.1 Who Wanted and was Capable to Influence The Outcome of The Document?
4.3.2 The Zero Draft Reflecting Issues Proposed by Non-State Actors
4.3.3 Examples of Thematic Goals of Nsas and Their Take-Up in the Negotiations
4.3.4 Spotlight on other Topics, and Cross-Cutting Issues During the GCM Negotiations
4.3.5 Does the Final Agreement Reflect Non-State Actors’ Goals and Principles?
5 Local Authorities in the GCM Process: A Similar but Different Case
5.1 The Access, Activities, and Opportunities for Local Authorities to Transmit Information
5.1.1 The Consultation Phase and the Absence of Local Authority Voices
5.1.2 The Stocktaking: Local Authorities Visibly Stepping into the Process
5.1.3 Local Authorities During the Negotiation Phase
5.1.4 The 5th Mayoral Forum and Local Authorities at the GCM Adoption Conference in Marrakech
5.2 The Leverages and Resources of Local Authorities
5.2.1 Advocates for Cities in the Process, UN System and Other Institutions
5.2.2 The Role of Formal and Informal City Networks
5.2.3 Cities Presenting Themselves as a Pragmatic Actor with new Perspectives and Ideas
5.2.4 Limitations to the Engagement of Local Authorities
5.3 Goal Attainment of Local Authorities
5.3.1 Clarifying and Specifying the References to Local Authorities in the GCM
5.3.2 Recognizing the Perspective, Expertise, and Ideas of Local Governments in Specific GCM Objectives
5.3.3 A role for Local Governments in in GCM Implementation, Review, and Follow-up
5.3.4 Does the Final Agreement Reflect the Goals and Principals of NSAs and Cities?
6 Summing Up: Non-State Actors’ and Local Authorities’ Influence in the Process Leading to the Adoption of the GCM
7 Classification, Main Recommendations, and Conclusion
7.1 Opportunity Structures: An Approach to Explain how Migration has Been Brought to the un and Enabled Engagement of NSAs and Local Authorities
7.2 The First IMRF 2022—a way Forward for the GCM and its Inclusion of Stakeholders?
7.3 The way Forward: Recommendations
7.3.1 Establish a More Systematic and Institutionalized role for NSAs and Local Authorities in the UN System
7.3.2 Foster Multi-stakeholder Alliances for Global Migration Issues
7.3.3 Strengthen Systemic Cooperation Between Actor Groups
7.3.4 Connect Global Processes to the National and Local Level
7.3.5 Provide Resources to Bolster Diversity of Actors and Voices
7.3.6 Find a Balance Between In-person and Virtual Meetings
7.3.7 Test New Formats and Create Inputs that Spark Interest and ‘Stick’
7.4 Research Outlook
7.4.1 Clarification of Role and Understanding of Actors
7.4.2 NSAs and Cities in Migration Governance in Comparison with other Policy Fields
7.4.3 COVID-19 and Migration—how Relevant is the GCM?
7.4.4 The Role of Non-state Actors in the Implementation, Review, and Follow-up of the GCM
7.4.5 The war in Ukraine and its Consequences for Global Migration Governance
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