b'GLOBAL COLLABORATIONLOBBYING But CERC is very important in the narrative, saying business needs migra-Global collaboration in relocation caninternational market.tion, Winet says.also affect national policies, ZurlindenIn addition, CERC serves on the steeringWinet points out that 75 per cent of says. During COVID, the Association ofcommittee of the Business Advisory Groupemployers worldwide dont find the skills Relocation Professionals (ARP) decidedon Migration, a body of the Internationalthey need domestically; in Canada, its to start lobbying the government forOrganisation of Employers (IOE). It80 per cent. The pathways to migration better recognition for the industry in theprovides a business perspective on migra- need to be thought through, transparent U.K. The same is being done in France,tion to the Global Forum on Migration andand predictable. CERCs participation has Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands.Development, a state-led forum for morebeen key, and I would encourage CERCs Steve [Cryne] pushed the agenda. CERC has involved itself with many internationalthan 150 governments across the world.members to be part of the global conver-organizations that affect global mobilityIt\'s important for the mobility industry tosation by joining CERC in these issues. and has successfully contributed to this,be involved because thats where policiesWe need concrete examples to showcase more so I believe than any other organiza- and programs are being discussed, saysto governments the remaining challenges tion in the same space. the IOEs head of stakeholder engagement,and what businesses need in terms of Stphanie Winet, based in Switzerland.improving legal pathways for migration.After the COVID-19 pandemic struck,The mobility industry needs more open CERC and EuRA joined forces with theborders and more transparent legal path- Taken altogether, says Cryne, Our part-U.S.-based WERC (formerly Worldwideways to bring the skills they need wherenerships deliver value to CERC members ERC) to hold a very successful online eventthey are needed. and the members of the partner asso-called WECAN. When live conferencesciations through knowledge-sharing and eventually returned, CERC and EuRACHANGING THE NARRATIVE collectively addressing complex issues such met at EuRAs 2022 conference in SevilleImportant right now is the negative narra- as DE&I and sustainability. Our advocacy with WERC, the moving association FIDItive around migration that can be exploitedwork is amplified when we are part of a Global Alliance, the Corporate Housingfor political purposes. This has been acollective voice delivering a cohesive and Providers Association (CHPA) and thechallengethe fact that politicians areconsistent message to policymakers and International Association of Movers (IAM)talking about how immigrants are stealinggovernments. Overall, collaboration with to discuss a partnership around sustain- jobs or how crime is rising because of immi- like-minded partners is essential for maxi-ability. Out of this alliance was born thegration: all these things that are not truemizing impact, fostering innovation and Coalition for Greener Mobility. and that are harmful to business. Thatsaddressing the complex challenges of our Were focusing on the environment now,where we\'ve had an impact, in changing theinterconnected world."particularly because governments are imposing massive new restrictions and reporting regulations on businesses, but this coalition is intending to take it broader to social and governance, says Belgium-based FIDI secretary general Jesse van Sas. In the future, the Coalition may tackle further topics, such as AI. Now, the Coalition is working to develop a common understanding of what sustainability looks like in the mobility area. This involves educating industry members, providing them with the tools needed for change and helping them work with customers to spread the impact of their initiatives.It is developing support materials, such as FIDIs Blueprint of a Green Move, which shows how the elements of a green move compare to a traditional reloca-tion. Further resources are available in corporate housing, relocation management and destination services. It makes sense that were all working together, van Sas says. If we all do our own thing, it has a cost, and that cost gets passed down to our members. I\'m so proud and happy that for the first time in the history of international relocation, we\'ve all got together.CERC is prominent in this group. CERC in particular has always stood out, says van Sas. Canada is a big country, but its not the biggest on the world stage.Summer 2024PERSPECTIVES13'