SIMN

Meeting of the Global Migration Forum at the United Nations(05/02/2007)

On May 2nd 2007, Fr. Leonir Chiarello c.s. represented the Scalabrini International Migration Network (SIMN) at the Meeting of the Global Migration Group (GMG) at the United Nations Headquarters in New York City.

        The GMG is an inter-agency group bringing together heads of agencies which seeks to promote wider application of all relevant international and regional instruments and norms relating to migration, and to encourage the adoption of more coherent, comprehensive and better coordinated approaches to the issue of international migration. The GMG is particularly concerned to improve the overall effectiveness of its members and other stakeholders in capitalizing upon the opportunities and responding to the challenges presented by international migration.

        The GMG is composed of 10 organizations that are actively involved in international migration and related issues: International Labour Organization (ILO), International Organization for Migration (IOM), United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), United Nations Development Program (UNDP), United Nations Department of Economic  and Social Affairs (UNDESA), United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and World Bank.

        The two topics discussed at the meeting were: a briefing on the activities of the GMG how the GMG is preparing the Global Forum on Migration and Development.

In the first topic the agencies of the GMG reviewed their collaboration on the projects that they are working on to support national, regional and international efforts, policies and processes related to migration and development.

In the second topic, the executive heads of the GMG agencies confirmed that they are combining their different expertise concerning migration and development to prepare the Global Forum, that will take place in Bruxelles, on July 9 through 11, 2007.

Our participation, as the SIMN in these debates is important to improve our integral mission to serve migrants and to find initiatives regarding migration and development together with international agencies and governments.

Leonir Chiarello