Global Skills Partnerships for Fair and Ethical Nursing Mobility

Due to demographic trends in many countries of the Global North, the demand for qualified nurses is on the rise. However, the domestic pool of professional nurses is often not big enough to meet the growing demand for care services. The recruitment of nursing staff from abroad is therefore becoming increasingly important for many countries.

For the countries of origin and the Global South, this presents opportunities and risks. On the one hand, it offers the chance to provide employment for nurses whom the domestic labour market cannot absorb. On the other hand, there is a risk that a large number of well-trained nursing staff will leave the country, thereby weakening the country’s own healthcare system and worsening the uneven distribution of professional nurses between low-and middle-income countries (LMICs) and high-income-countries (HICs). Another possible risk is that people will be exploited by unscrupulous recruiters.

To avoid potential hazards, the recruitment of skilled nurses from abroad must be conducted in an ethical and sustainable manner. A good example of such partnership-based labour migration between LMICs and HICs are the so called Global Skills Partnerships (GSP). The concept, originally developed by Michael Clemens, aims to maximise the benefits of migration for all parties involved whilst minimising any potential negative impacts. Targeted measures within GSP contribute to the empowerment of nursing staff and the countries of origin, assist in capacity building and the development of the healthcare systems.

This session will explore how GSP can contribute to a development-oriented approach to the migration of nursing professionals and what challenges this entails. The session will also discuss what potential funding structures might look like, how ecosystems can be established in the countries of origin and what governance structures are required to secure sustainability.