This morning the government of Belize held an inter-ministerial consultation on Migration Governance Indicators. This assessment was conducted at GOB's request to generate an inclusive national conversation on Belize's migration policies. We stopped by the Biltmore to get a better understanding of how different agencies are inputting on a national policy for migration.
Edmund Zuniga, C.E.O. - Ministry of Immigration with responsibility for Refugees
"Today we're having a presentation on the findings of the migration governance indicators. Its a study which started in January of this year looking at some data and information which will eventually feed into the development of our comprehensive migration and development policy for Belize."
"The policy will help us to avoid arbitrary decisions because everybody will know, look this is government's policy on who comes when, and how they come and how they leave, and that is going to help considerably."
"That policy once completed is going to help the government and help us in migration to be able to determine the flows of people into and out of Belize as well as the flow of resources that come and go with those persons."
Marcelo Pisani, Regional Director, International Organization for Migration
"We create a scenario to discuss with governmental entities the results of the MGI. What is the MGI? The migration government Index it is an index based on a number of questions. To apply that index we need data so this is a governmental lead process the goverment of Belize requests IOM technical support to apply the index. We already gathered the data. We answered the questions, so now we are sharing the results with the different entities of the country that have relations with migrations issues."
"From the results of this discussion we will have a final document and with that the government of Belize will be able to create an action plan to address issues related to opportunities and challenges on migration."
Pisani also told us that while Belize has some issues concerning migration that need to be addressed. He believes that Belizean immigration policies are an example of good practice in the region.
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