In September 2016, for the first time Member States came together to discuss, at the global level, issues related to migration and refugees. The New York Declaration, which was adopted at the High-Level Summit, recognizes the need for a comprehensive approach to human mobility and enhanced cooperation at the global level and commits to:
The New York Declaration also launched two parallel processes for negotiations leading to an international conference and the adoption of a global compact for safe, orderly and regular migration and a global compact for responsibility sharing for refugees in 2018.
Thanks to Cecilie Kern I have this great shot of the time line and Good Shepherd Engagement in the Global Compact for Migration – the big issues addressed under the following headings: Human Rights, Drivers of Migration, International Cooperation, Contribution of Migrants, Smuggling and Trafficking, and Labour Mobility.
These process are intertwined within three session of the Global Forum of Migration – in Dhaka, Bangladesh, in Berlin, Germany and the end one will be in Morocco at the end of 2018. Good Shepherd have been present within these processes too bringing examples of good practice to the discussions. Theresa Symons from Malaysia and Magdalena Saavedra from the Philippines were present in Dhaka; Magdalena and Cecilie in Berlin.
There were a series of UN Regional Commission consultations – ECLAC, ESCWA, ECA, ESCAP, and ECE. Good Shepherd only managed to attend one of these session (ECLAC – in Santiago Chile!
Cecilie attended Phase 2 – Stocktaking Phase in December in Mexico. She was also the representative for the NGO Committee on Migration.
Phase three begins in February 2018 with the publication of the ‘Zero Draft” and the commencement of negotiations. This will take place in New York and Cecilie will follow the negotiations intently. Negotiations at the global level set the guidelines for global processes and guidelines to be implemented at national level. This work starting in February is not merely the work of the GSIJP office but also the work of each country where Good Shepherd has a presence as Member States are instructed by ‘Capital’ as to what is acceptable or not acceptable in the global compact. You can read more Information here. See the Letter Template in 6 languages to help you with advocacy at national level.
Another website that has very valuable information is Migration and Development Civil Society Network (MADE). MADE evolved out of years of GFMD organising, and was launched in 2014, benefitting from initial co-funding from the European Union for three years. The coordination of GFMD civil society activities has now become part of the Migration and Development Civil Society Network (MADE), organised by the Civil Society Coordinating Office, operating under the auspices of the International Catholic Migration Commission (ICMC), in partnership with the International Steering Committee (ISC) and MADE regional and thematic coordinators.
A very important work of MADE are policy formulations taking account of the civil society recommendations. The document that is currently in use to guide the global compact on Migration is ‘Now and How – 10 Acts for the Global Compact.’
While this graphic looks cluttered maybe you will be urged to look at the document if you see the 10 Acts more clearly
1. Drivers of human mobility
2. Safe human mobility pathways
3. Protection
4. Decent work and labor rights
5. Decent living conditions and access to justice
6. Education and skills
7. Inclusion and action against discrimination
8. Transnational and sustainable development
9. Rights, return and reintegration
10. Governance, implementation and monitoring
There are two points that are crosscutting all 10 Acts – The Rights of Children and Gender Responsive Policies – children and girls and women ….
See the document with signatures – 15 Good Shepherd signatures – Portugal, Brazil, Mexico, Burkina Faso, Kenya, US and Toronto Province, Malta, Myanmar, National Advocacy Office (USA) Uganda, Philippines (RGS-COW), Australia, Sri Lanka, Egypt and Lebanon! See Document With Signatures
Maintenant et Comment Dix Actes pour le Pacte mondial
Ahora y Así Diez Pasos para el Pacto mundial
Arabic and Chinese coming soon.
“The Stocktaking phase of the Global Compact for Migration has come to an end in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. Cecilie represented Good Shepherd and the NGO Committee on Migration in the Civil Society Stocktaking strategy meeting on 2-3 December, co-leading the civil society strategy and engagement with governments on the protection of migrants. She continued this dialogue during the official UN Stocktaking on 4-6 December. There was a spirit of determination, a strong endorsement of international cooperation, and a focus on rights & dignity of all migrants. #ForMigration #GlobalCompactMigration READ MORE from the MADE Website
Cecilie has prepared the GCM Stocktaking Report a good overview of what happened the meeting, outlining core principles and the call for action orientated proposals while noting issues that did not receive adequate attention. What do you think? Why not write a comment, share a good practice or your concerns. You can do so in the comment section of the blog.
UNANIMA representative Teresa Blumenstein and Olga Sanchez, a Combini Sister were also present
There is also a Global Compact for Refugees. See for details The process is different but there will also be a zero draft negotiated. By February 2018 UNHCR will prepare a draft of the Global Compact on Refugees and formal consultation with Member States and other relevant stakeholders will commence.