Harnessing the Potential of Human Mobility
December 18 is designated as the ‘International Migrants day’ by the United States. The day acknowledge the importance of protecting the rights and dignity of migrants around the world.They are either voluntary or forced caused by an increased magnitude and frequency of disasters, economic challenges and extreme poverty or conflict.
With ever increasing numbers of migrants moving throughout the world, the UN General Assembly declared the 18 December as a day to celebrate the role of the migrant and the contribution that migration brings to development.
UN Member States and intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations observe the day through the dissemination of information on the human rights and fundamental freedoms of migrants, and through the sharing of experiences and the design of actions to ensure their protection.
UNESCO places emphasis on the human face of migration. It addresses the implications of the movement of people within its fields of competence, firmly embedding its interventions in a human rights framework
According to the United Nations, approximately 281 million people were international migrants last year, representing 3.6 percent of the global population. This year, the United Nations has announced the theme for International Migrants Day as ‘Harnessing the Potential of Human Mobility’. The UN mentioned in its statement that migrants contribute with their “knowledge, networks, and skills to build stronger, more resilient communities.”
Highlighting the advantages of nurturing migrant communities in a country, the UN mentioned impactful decisions addressing the challenges and opportunities presented by global mobility and people on the move, can influence the global social and economic landscape.
Migrants contribute with their knowledge, networks, and skills to build stronger, more resilient communities. The global social and economic landscape can be shaped through impactful decisions to address the challenges and opportunities presented by global mobility and people on the move.
The Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration (GCM) offers the opportunity and guidance to actualize human mobility and seize the opportunities it presents.
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) has assisted millions of migrants since it emerged 70 years ago to assist the vast number of Europeans displaced by the Second World War and continues to lead the way in promoting a humane and orderly management of migration for the benefit of all, including the communities of origin, transit and destination.
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