Framing ethical perspectives
Migration is an umbrella term that refers to the act of a person or people of moving from one country, locality, or place of residence to another. It is often used synonymously or in conjunction with the term "immigration," which refers to the act of a person or people traveling to a different country to become permanent residents. According to the United Nations' International Organization for Migration, as of 2020, there were 281 million migrants, which equates to 3.6 percent of the world population.
In regards to this issue, Carnegie Council's Model International Mobility Convention (MIMC) is offering a comprehensive set of rules, outlining actions, rights, and duties that benefit both migrants and refugees as well as their states of origin, transit, and destination.
About the MIMC
MIMC proposes a better system for migration and mobility by addressing gaps in existing international law.
Learn more about the initiative
This report proposes a framework for international mobility with goals of reaffirming existing rights and expanding rights where warranted.
Read the Convention
FEB 27, 2024 • Video
A Carnegie Council Conversation with the UK Home Secretary
NOV 8, 2023 • Article
Migration from Venezuela to Brazil: Addressing the Regularization of Undocumented Children
Two Brazilian public defenders reflect on the status of undocumented Venezuelan children in Brazil vis-à-vis the Model International Mobility Convention.
MAR 29, 2023 • Podcast
Reframing the Refugee Crisis, with Sana Mustafa
In this podcast, Senior Fellow Tatiana Serafin speaks with Asylum Access CEO Sana Mustafa about the need to re-frame our discussion about forcibly displaced persons.
Explore Our Migration Resources
JUN 24, 2020 • Podcast
"Remain in Mexico" & Immigration Policy in 2020, with Molly O'Toole
Molly O'Toole, immigration and security reporter at the "Los Angeles Times," discusses Trump's "Remain in Mexico" asylum policy and its many ethical and legal issues. ...
JUN 10, 2020 • Podcast
Climate Change, Migration, & Humanity's Niche, with Tim Kohler & Marten Scheffer
A report found that over the next 50 years, 1 to 3 billion people could be living outside the climate niche that has "served humanity well over the ...
OCT 10, 2019 • Podcast
The Power of Tribalism, with Amy Chua & Walter Russell Mead
"In our foreign policy, for at least half a century, we have been spectacularly blind to the power of tribal politics," says Amy Chua, author ...
OCT 3, 2019 • Podcast
Climate Change, Intergenerational Ethics, & Political Responsibility, with Stephen Gardiner
University of Washington's Professor Stephen Gardiner discusses the ethics of climate change from intergenerational, political, and personal perspectives. Should individuals feel bad for using plastic ...
SEP 26, 2019 • Podcast
Climate Change Law, Island Nations, & the UN, with Maxine Burkett
University of Hawaii's Professor Maxine Burkett discusses climate change from a legal perspective in this timely conversation. What are some strategies that island nations like ...
SEP 4, 2019 • Podcast
The Model International Mobility Convention, with Michael Doyle
In this timely talk, SIPA's Professor Michael Doyle details the Model International Mobility Convention, a "hypothetical ideal convention" developed to define a "comprehensive and coherent" ...
JUL 9, 2019 • Podcast
International Migrants in China's Global City, with James Farrer
Is China becoming an immigrant society? Why do foreigners move to the country? What can we learn by studying Shanghai's international community? James Farrer, a ...
MAR 27, 2019 • Podcast
How Safe Are We? Homeland Security Since 9/11, with Janet Napolitano
"Climate, cyber, then mass gun violence, sometimes motivated by terrorist ideology--and the ideology can most frequently be tied to far-right-wing extremism, sometimes tied to no ...
JUL 31, 2018 • Podcast
Migration & Citizenship in the Capitalist State, with Lea Ypi
"In both political debates and academic debates on migration the question of class is often missed," says London School of Economics' Lea Ypi. "When we ...
JUL 19, 2018 • Podcast
Global Ethics Weekly: Migration in the Age of "Zero Tolerance"
Today's discussions about immigrants and refugees are focused on the Trump administration's "zero tolerance" policy on the U.S.-Mexico border and the "migration crisis" ...