The Global Commission on International Migration (GCIM) invites contributions to a series of research papers titled ‘Global Migration Perspectives’, edited by Dr Jeff Crisp and Dr Colleen Thouez. The purpose of the series is to contribute to the current discourse on global migration issues, and to assist the Commission in formulating policy options and proposals for its final report, which will be submitted to the UN Secretary-General in mid-2005. Preference will be given to papers that provide creative and policy-relevant perspectives on global migration issues. A fee will be paid for all papers that are accepted for publication.