Global Compact Update, May 21, 2017
The Global Compact on Migration thematic consultations got underway on May 8-9 in Geneva with the consultation on the human rights of all migrants, social inclusion, cohesion and all forms of discrimination, including racism, xenophobia and intolerance. Opportunities for civil society organizations to engage in the consultations– at least those organizations lucky enough to have staff in Geneva or to be able to send someone to Geneva– were uncertain until the last minute. Literally. But civil society organizations did have opportunities to speak from the floor.
GCM was also represented on the panels themselves– on the first panel, on the Human Rights of All Migrants, by International Coordinator Monami Maulik, whose comments are here, as well as by Ben Lewis from GCM ally International Detention Coalition (IDC) and Paola Cyment of CAREF and GCM member WIMN. Michele LeVoy, Director of GCM member PICUM, spoke on the second panel, on social inclusion, on migrants’ right to health and the importance of access to healthcare.
On May 16, GCM held it first– and very successful– webinar on organizing strategies for the Global Compact for GCM member organizations and their members. Stay tuned for information on future webinars open to a wider audience.
The second thematic consultation, “addressing drivers of migration, including adverse effects of climate change, natural disasters and human-made crises, through protection and assistance, sustainable development, poverty eradication, conflict prevention and resolution” is already here, Monday-Tuesday May 22-23 at the UN in New York. The sessions will be webcast live and recorded (webtv.un.org).
The official UN site for the Compact, http://refugeesmigrants.un.org/migration-compact, has been expanded and is easier to use. The “working with partners” section has links to the application forms for those who wish to attend the remaining thematic consultations that will be taking place in New York, Geneva and Vienna.