Democratization Migration/Freedom of Movement One of the consequences of globalization is that increasing population mobility has become one of the main characteristics of modern societies. As a result, countries are faced with the challenge of developing and implementing effective migration policies that are both humane and pragmatic. As people in the OSCE region move both within their countries and between countries, migration patterns are becoming more complex than ever. Migration can be a positive factor in economic and social development for both host and home countries and can contribute to understanding among cultures and to democratization trends. But migrants can also become victims of negative stereotyping, intolerance, xenophobia, and violations of human rights. A number of OSCE participating States have taken steps to accommodate significant waves of migrants in recent years, though they often lack the necessary legal and policy frameworks for their protection. States have undertaken a number of important commitments to create conditions to facilitate the movement of people across borders, as well as within their own countries, and to protect the human rights of migrants. The ODIHR assists participating States in their efforts towards further compliance with OSCE commitments on migration, freedom of movement, treatment of migrant workers, and treatment of citizens of other participating States. Despite the efforts of the ODIHR and its numerous national and international partners, there remain serious obstacles to protecting the human rights of migrants in the OSCE region. Restrictions still exist in many places on the movement of citizens within their own country and between countries, while the lack of information on migration laws and policies of other participating States pose a challenge to citizens and governments alike. Moreover, there are persistent misconceptions throughout the OSCE region about the impact of migrants, as well as a lack of understanding of the benefits of migration. Main Issues k Right to freedom of movement and free choice of place of residence: Since the collapse of the Soviet Union and the subsequent changes in the political and economic situation, there has been a noticeable increase in migration in a number of countries in the region. People are moving both within and between countries in search of jobs and better living conditions. As a result, state institutions need to have information on the new places of residence of migrating people to ensure, for example, their rights to social and medical services, access to employment and education, and participation in electoral processes. This information can be made available by modernizing existing, or developing new, population registration systems that do not restrict people’s freedom of movement and free choice of place of residence, that allow governments to keep track of population movements, and that provide state authorities with reliable demographic information. k Cross-border co-operation on labour migration and integration of migrants into host societies: Co-operation between sending and receiving states is a “[The Ministerial Council recognizes that] all States should adopt effective national frameworks in order to manage migration … [and considers] that the OSCE … could contribute … by facilitating dialogue and co-operation between participating States, including countries of origin, transit and destination in the OSCE area … [and] assisting the participating States … to develop effective migration policies and to implement their relevant OSCE commitments.” — Ljubljana Ministerial Council Decision No. 5 on Migration, 2005 Annual Report  43