The role of the RSA
The Royal Society for the encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce was founded in 1754.
Today the RSA is an independent, multi-disciplinary registered charity which encourages the development of a principled and prosperous society.
The RSA Fellowship has been described as "the most diverse collection of brainpower in Britain". The charity has over 22,000 Fellows from all sectors - entrepreneurs and chief executives of small and large companies, scientists, teachers, charity workers, civil servants, artists and academics.
The migration project contributes directly to the RSA's aims of Advancing Global Citizenship.
Why is the RSA concerned about migration?
The RSA was founded in order to encourage the development of a principled and prosperous society. Given the important role that properly managed migration can play in society, we believe that encouraging more efficient and ethical migration will help us achieve this vision.
Why is the RSA especially qualified to do this work?
The nature of the problem is complex and it involves ethics, economics, human potential and culture. All of these elements have been addressed individually, but they have not been looked at as a whole. The RSA is multidisciplinary and impartial, and it carries credibility in a number of arenas: academic, governmental, corporate and NGO. If there is to be a holistic approach to improving migration, the RSA is in a unique position to do this.
What is the RSA's agenda?
Recognising that migration exists and is increasing, the RSA is concerned with developing an ethical and efficient approach to migration for society. Evidence shows that migration can contribute positively to social and economic development for both source and receiving countries, and we are interested in making recommendations that can maximise this contribution, as well as encouraging and contributing to a rational and mature debate about migration. Our approach is evidence-based and practical. We are interested in solutions that work, not just fancy ideas.
The RSA Migration Commission is grateful to the Barrow Cadbury Trust for their financial and intellectual contribution to this project.
The RSA is registered as a charity in England and Wales no.212424.