Over the last 50 years, the Volume and significance of international migrat
ion has grown rapidly. Every region of the world, and most of the states wi
thin them, are now countries of immigration or emigration-and sometimes bot
h. This article examines international migration trends since the Second Wo
rld War and reviews UNESCO programme activities. In view of the social, eco
nomic, cultural and human rights aspects of migration, the Organization has
focused considerable efforts on its two distinct but related components: i
nternal and international. The social, cultural, educational and occupation
al problems specific to women migrants-a theme which, in the 1980s, took on
increasing importance and independence as reflected in a number of UNESCO
meetings and publications-is reviewed at some length. The complexity of rec
ent migration flows, emerging issues and the need to provide viable policy
responses has led UNESCO to develop new methods of research and support for
policy formulation by establishing regional migration research networks.