A Global Compact for Migration from below? The role of migrant civil society

Migrant civil society has played an influential role in the deliberations of the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration (GCM). Setbacks notwithstanding, this influence can be found in the final document regarding the language used as well as the inclusion of civil society’s agenda and policy goals. The challenge for migrant civil society now is to get access to and eventually influence the complex process of monitoring and implementation of the GCM goals. This complexity is just one of several obstacles for meaningful civil society involvement. Besides limited resources, another major obstacle is uncertainty: more than one and a half years after the GCM was agreed upon in Marrakesh and New York, several modalities are still not clearly defined, and the process is running markedly behind schedule. As Jonathan Prentice, Head of Secretariat of the United Nations Network on Migration, put it during a consultation with civil society representatives on the GCM in relation to the regional review process: “The modality resolution is wonderful in its carte blanche aspect, but not very wonderful in its guidance and direction as to how these might take place and to what purpose. For those of you out there who are confused, if it is any consolation: I am confused as well.”