This report provides an overview of the discussions and key messages that emerged from the learning event held by the Cities Alliance Joint Work Programme (JWP) on Cities and Migration from 9 to 10 September 2019 in Bern, Switzerland.
The idea behind the workshop was to explore migration within the context of a system of cities and seek to understand how local actors can support the global agendas (or be supported by them). Specifically, it sought to improve cooperation and peer learning among city and migration stakeholders – local, national, and international – for improved management of migration to cities.
The workshop incorporated firsthand experience by cities that are dealing with migration, with a focus on the JWP’s identified partner cities (Arua and Jinja in Uganda, Jendouba and Kairouan in Tunisia, Jigjiga and Adama in Ethiopia, and Kakuma-Kalobeyei cluster in Kenya).
The discussions throughout the two-day workshop highlighted the tremendous impact migration is having on secondary cities and the challenges they face in providing basic services for existing and new residents. Above all, secondary cities need support and are seeking to have their voices heard at the national level so they can meet residents’ needs and drive growth.
