SIMN

First International Forum on Migration and Peace in the American Continent

Today, economical crises, violence, lack of land and work, force millions of Latin-Americans and Caribbeans to look for better possibilities in cities or to cross national and continental borders. Despite restrictive policies and borders controls to stem the influx of more migrants and the waves of expulsion of undocumented aliens implemented by countries of immigration, people will continue to be on the move looking for greater dignity. In this sense, migrations appear not only as a problem that the governments of the region are unable to solve, but also as a “prophetic phenomenon” that clearly underlines the inadequacies of the economic system adopted by the region. It is a system that produces high levels of economic growth without a correspondent equitable social development. History shows that migration movements will not be stopped by walls, physical barriers and soldiers or by policies without an ethic base. As long as the economic system continues to leave a large sector of the population out of the benefits of development, social conflicts and migration will continue to be a persistent phenomenon of the American continent.
In this context, the promotion of a culture of pacific urban coexistence and social cohesion is the central point of managing migration and diversity. Preservation of the right of the democratic state and the pacific urban coexistence of nationals and migrants is achieved through the eradication of every form of racism and xenophobia. At the same time, it needs the commitment of the public administrations, the local governments, the various social entities and all citizens to secure the exercise of the rights and duties of all those who share the same time and the same territory.  
As we celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Post-Synod Apostolic Exhortation Ecclesia in America, we recognize the necessity of putting forward again the challenges presented by the Exhortation which points out, in a prophetic form, the vicious circle of increasing poverty, violence and massive migrations. 

The commitment of the Congregation of the Missionaries of Saint Charles, Scalabrinians through the Scalabrini International Migration Network (SIMN)
 
Despite migration policies, ever more restrictive, that generate an increasing number of irregular migrants, a negative image of migrants, blamed for unemployment and criminal activities, and the strives that these perceptions cause, the Scalabrini International Migration Network (SIMN) is implementing an international campaign to promote a culture of pacific coexistence through international migrations.

To answer the need of dialogue among the various social and political sectors, in coordination with the ecclesial organizations of the American continent, SIMN’s network is organizing the First Forum of the American Continent on Migration and Peace. It is scheduled for January 29th and 30th, 2009. The objective is to promote a high level debate on the relation between migration and the establishment of international pacific coexistence in the American continent. This should involve ecclesial, civil and governmental organizations at national, regional and continental level in the building of peace bridges among the American nations in the area of migration. We plan to involve those who, in the American continent, have received the Nobel Peace Prize so that they could help in establishing a culture of peace in the area of the increasing phenomenon of the international migration affecting American countries.