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EUMIND 2016

Migration Maxims
(Assignment 3)
-Sameer Chaturvedi (Group 2)

Carlos Fuentes once said, Recognize yourself in he and she who are not like you
and me, and as someone who generally shrugs off ubiquitous adages, I initially questioned
the validity of this axiom. After pondering for a while however, I noticed that this is, in fact, a
categorical truth.
The worldwide migration crisis has displaced a record 60 million people from their homes the
most since the end of World War II pushing asylum systems to their limits. People
desperately fleeing death, destruction and abysmal living conditions in countries like Syria and
Iraq (as explained in https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RvOnXh3NN9w ) to places in Central

America and Africa have sparked a global panic. We, however, ignore the predicament of the
migrants, who are not like you and me, and focus on our own selfish wishes.
The issue of immigration has erupted in the past few years due to obstacles like unemployment
and overpopulation, and as a result, biases are as pervasive as immigrants are. Whether illegal
or legal, migration and foreigners have raised
the eyebrows of locals all around the world,
many of whom have a staunch opinion to halt
widespread migration altogether. These
people, however, tend to forget that the
migrants are in fact distinct human beings, as
we all are. This quote encapsulates this
thought, and reminds us that only unity can
propel us to a global society and utopia.
There is no doubt that each person is different,
no matter how similar we all are. We all have varying stories, personalities, backgrounds, and
ambitions. Yes, he and she are not like you and me, but this mutual exclusion often leads to
belligerent and dogmatic views. In 2015, over 244 million people lived outside their country of
origin. With such a high number of migrants, correlative compassion is compulsory. We need to
recognize and identify ourselves in others so we can truly understand the emotions and plights
of our fellow species. This interactive map provides insight on the magnitude of immigrants -http://www.migrationpolicy.org/programs/data-hub/charts/international-migrant-populationcountry-origin-and-destination

Borders between nations


have been widely regarded
as an inevitable product of
society, but in the 21st
century, we should strive to
(not eliminate borders)
engender a global civilization
to maximize progress and
solve problems collectively. Physicist Michio Kaku explains the concept of the Global Civilization
here {https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6GooNhOIMY0}. As Frank-Walter Steinmeier said,
"The world has become a village, and if that is so, then were all neighbours, in which case I
would advise us to act as good neighbours."
Though a myriad of international agencies are fighting against migrant discrimination and
hatred, the solution will ultimately stem out from us. We have to put ourselves in others shoes
and treat people how we would like to be treated. Once we see ourselves in others, we
eliminate all prejudices and live in harmony. After all, who is a migrant but a person seeking a
better future, as we all are. This quote from Claudio Magris exemplifies my statements, History
shows that it is not only senseless and cruel, but also difficult to state who is a foreigner.
While recognizing ourselves in others, we need to keep in mind the varying cultures and values
of them as well. In my opinion, culture and emotions must take a back seat when it comes to
achieving goals, and hopefully one day we will have a true Global Culture. Until then, we have
to recognize the fact that he and she who are not like you and me also strive to preserve their
heritage.

Of course, rapid and copious immigration leads to a plethora of problems ranging from economy
to education and employment. This has led to people looking down upon migrants. These
people fail, however, to see how these situations are almost archetypal in proving the need for
compassion across borders and race. It is only when we recognize ourselves in others that we
can develop the cooperation needed to uplift the nations in plight and curtail all crises, and
improve the condition of not only their homeland, but ours as well.

Migration is increasingly seen as a contributor to development. Migrants make important


contributions to the economic prosperity of their host countries, and the flow of financial,
technological, social and human capital back to their countries of origin helps to reduce poverty
and stimulate economic development there as well.
Hopefully one day this quote will not be a benevolent expectation, but an omnipresent reality.
The steps that humanity takes today will condition the new age and determine our destiny. Will it
be a repugnant destiny of annihilation, of a planetary war, of worldwide famine and pestilence?
Lets make it one we are proud of.

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