The major outputs of the Expert Group Meeting on Population Distribution, Migration, and Development, held in Tunisia during March 1983, were the formulation of well rounded principles and objectives in the areas of urbanization, internal and international migration, and population distribution which have policy relevance for development to help the review and appraisal of the World Population Plan of Action; and the compilation of recommendations in these areas. The substantive agenda items discussed at the meeting were as follows: internal and international migration; migration and rural development; urbanization, migration, and the growth of large cities in developing countries; the turnaround of urbanization in developed countries; and population distribution policies. The following are among the recommendations made: population distribution policies should be justified in terms of their positive benefits rather than as a means of correcting alleged adverse trends in the distribution of population; population distribution goals should be adopted to help achieve predetermined broader societal goals such as raising per capita incomes, increasing efficiency, or improving the distribution of income by taking into account those left behind or those affected by mass immigration; population distribution policies should be tailored to the specific needs of a country's political, economic, and institutional structure; governments should make available information on employment, social, and economic conditions in places of potential destination for individuals who may be considering migration; where policies to encourage migration are formulated, their implementation should be carried out in close cooperation with migrants, taking into account their needs as well as those of persons affected by migration; governments are urged to provide the resources to collect data, particularly with respect to the variety of migration streams; in formulating policies on international migration receiving countries should take into account not only their own economic and social needs and the well being of the migrants concerned but the needs of the sending countries and the longterm implications of migration for both migrants and the communities concerned; and countries should ensure that migrants have adequate access to health and social services.

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