Manuel Carballo starts his speech by contextualizing the phenomenon of migration throughout history and the affected geographic areas. He describes the phases of migration in Europe, as the continent has evolved from being a source of migrants (Colonialism) to being a focal point for new immigrants in the twentieth century, now that Europe is receiving unorganized and undesired, yet necessary immigration. He continues by describing the motivating factors behind migration such as advanced global communication, demographic changes such as low fertility rate in the west, increasing rates in female immigration, increase in life expectancy, etc. The aging of the general European population has social implications such as the expansion of illnesses (like Diabetes) or the problem of providing healthcare for elders. This develops new consumers that require new services according to their needs, which were unknown until now. Carballo concludes by ensuring that the migratory phenomenon requires adaptation on the part of the countries receiving the migration.

Dr. Manuel Carballo, an epidemiologist, is currently the Executive Director of the International Center for Migration and Health (ICMH) and Professor of Clinical Public Health at the Mailman School of Public Health at Columbia University in New York. He has worked with the WHO in various countries. In 1986 he was one of three people chosen for the team to establish the WHO Global Program on AIDS (GPA) and remained with PAM until 1992 as head of Behavioral Research. He was chosen by the WHO as an advisor to public health for the wars in Bosnia, Kosovo, Palestine, Iraq and Afghanistan, as well for the Fund for Tsunami relief, and contributed to reconstruction efforts in the Maldives and Sri Lanka.