Changing trends and major issues in international migration: an overview of UNESCO programmes

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.