Objectives

The overall aim of the APMRM is to develop understanding of the long-term role of migration and ethno-cultural diversity as major factors of transformation of the societies of the Asia-Pacific region, in order to provide a base of knowledge and analysis for forward-looking policy-making. The specific objectives are to:

1. Establish a network of research institutions working on issues of migration and ethno-cultural diversity in the Asia-Pacific region, with a view to developing international communication and exchanging information.
   
   
2. Develop research capabilities in the region, through exchange of information and ideas, international seminars, in-service training courses for researchers, and graduate programs for future researchers.
   
   
3. Carry out international comparative research projects on a range of topics concerned with social and political dimensions of migration and ethno-cultural diversity.
   
   
4. Enhance theoretical and methodological knowledge on migration and ethnic relations research through cooperative research, conferences, and the publication and dissemination of appropriate material.
   
   
5. Involve potential research-users (especially national policy-makers, inter-governmental organisations, non-governmental organisations and community organisations) in the research process at various stages, including research-design, empirical work and analysis and dissemination of findings.
   
   
6. Provide high-level advice and research services for policy-makers at the national and international levels.
   
   
7. Assist in raising the quality of international migration data collection, storage and analysis by immigration/emigration authorities and by census and statistics officers throughout the region and to encourage and facilitate data sharing between countries participating in the network.
   
   
8. Achieve long-term sustainability of the network after the initial five-year period.