Migration
International Migrants Day
In its resolution 55/93, the United Nations General Assembly proclaimed December 18 as International Migrants Day to raise awareness about the respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms of this population, as well as to highlight their contributions and promote international cooperation to address migration phenomena. According to data from the National Human Rights Commission (CNDH), the main cause of international migration is the pursuit of well-paying jobs in countries with better economic conditions than one's own. Consequently, migration has increased as income disparities between countries grow.
Migrants—whether students, workers, entrepreneurs, or family members—are powerful drivers of development in both their countries of origin and destination. However, figures from the International Organization for Migration (IOM) indicate that migrant workers, who represent nearly two-thirds (62%) of international migrants, often have temporary, informal, or unprotected jobs, exposing them to greater risks of insecurity, layoffs, poor working conditions, or exploitation.
Moreover, numerous dynamic economies require workers to perform specific jobs that local candidates are unwilling to undertake, highlighting the significant structural inequality that drives migration. Thus, it is crucial to take actions that not only seek to defend the human rights and freedoms of people in mobility contexts but also promote their development and foster economic growth that allows them access to better life opportunities.
At the Friedrich Naumann Foundation Mexico, we have worked together with various organizations on this issue. Along with Sin Fronteras IAP, we have promoted an agenda of intercultural cities that prioritizes positive interaction and manages diversity beyond migration. In partnership with Impact Hub CDMX, we have created spaces for dialogue, learning, and idea exchange on how we can join efforts and build strategies to support the entrepreneurship of people in mobility contexts. Through these spaces, we have highlighted the significant economic impact that migrant entrepreneurship has on local, national, and even regional economies.
In Germany, according to the "Migrant Founders Monitor 2023" study conducted by the Friedrich Naumann Foundation and Startup Verband in Germany, around 60% of unicorns—startups valued at least $1 billion—have at least one migrant founder. Additionally, founders with migration backgrounds constitute a significant 21% of the startup ecosystem in Germany, with 58% born outside the country.
In Mexico, various civil society organizations and international bodies have implemented support programs offering seed capital; however, to achieve impactful results, it is essential for the entrepreneurial ecosystem to integrate this population into its strategies and policies. Furthermore, the lack of information about entrepreneurship opportunities represents a significant area for improvement for organizations. Enhancing access to information and resources is necessary for migrants to start businesses since they require legal and banking services as well as network support to initiate their projects.
To provide greater visibility and tools to this sector, it is important to develop programs that facilitate connections between migrant entrepreneurs and available resources; establish support networks to showcase their initiatives; promote learning among them; and encourage active participation of migrant entrepreneurs in creating action plans. This will allow for a clearer understanding of the challenges they face and highlight the need to build connections that strengthen their community.
From the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom in Mexico, let us reflect on the importance of migrant populations on this day and promote their economic inclusion through entrepreneurship and policies that shape intercultural cities.