PURPOSE: The United Nations General Assembly, have taking into account of the large and increasing number of migrants in the world, proclaimed 18 December as International Migrants Day (Resolution A/RES/55/93)) on 4 December 2000. On that day, in 1990, the Assembly adopted the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families. Overall, the estimated number of international migrants has increased over the past five decades. The total estimated 281 million people living in a country other than their countries of birth in 2020 was 128 million more than in 1990 and over three times the estimated number in 1970. The observance of the day aims to raise awareness about the challenges and difficulties of international migration, to actualize human mobility and seize the opportunities it presents. .
FORUM: “Act today for a better tomorrow for all: Improving the health of migrants to unleash the power of migration.” International Migrants Day 2023. Migration has always been a part of human history, with people moving for various reasons. This phenomenon continues to shape our world as more individuals seek better opportunities and escape conflicts, violence, climate change, and environmental degradation. Migrants bring a multitude of skills that can benefit and enrich host countries and communities. They can serve as agents of change, creating opportunities for progress and contributing to social and economic growth. Their contributions to the health and well-being of the society they live in are invaluable. For instance, migrant health workers were indispensable to the frontline response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, many countries are increasingly relying on migrant workers in their health care systems. To unleash the full potential of migration as a solution to global challenges, it is vital to prioritize the physical and mental health and well-being of migrants. WHO advocates for specific actions to achieve this:
Reorient health systems into integrated and inclusive health services and programmes for migrants, in line with the principles of primary health care and universal health coverage, keeping people healthy in all life stages, not only when they are sick.
Address the root causes that may affect the well-being of migrants, including social determinants of health, such as poor housing and working conditions, lack of education, inadequate access to clean water and sanitation, food insecurity, and vulnerability to violence.
Invest in comprehensive data collection and monitor health determinants, status and outcomes of migrants to assess accountability for progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and other goals and global targets.
Promote high-quality global research, strengthen knowledge production, and build research capacity to understand and address the health needs of migrants and shape responsive policies and practices worldwide.
Remove barriers to universal health coverage (UHC), including discrimination, cultural and language factors, and unaffordable costs, ensuring that migrants, including those in irregular situations, receive legal and social protection through national health systems and insurance schemes.
Include migrants in national public health strategies, including preparedness and response, as equitable and appropriate health services for all migrants yield positive outcomes for the society as a whole.
Address the shortage or lack of health professionals, services, and programmes that can cater to the cultural and linguistic needs of migrants, such as training competent health care professionals who can provide culturally sensitive care.
Build sustainable, consultative structures and mechanisms that optimize migrants’ involvement in health projects.
Follow the conversation with the hashtags: #InternationalMigrantsDay, #18December, #MigrantsDay, #safeMigration, #RegularMigration, #OrderlyMigration.
EVENTS: On December 18th, the UN Migration, the UN Special Rapporteur on the Human Rights of Migrants and the specialized agencies will host a webinar to mark the International Migrants Day 2023 from the IOM Headquater in Switzerland. The World Health Organization (WHO) will join the International Organization for Migration (IOM), along with global partners and communities to hold an event that will not only celebrate migrants but also willl serve as a catalyst for advocating their rights and uniting the global community in harnessing the transformative power of migration.
FESTIVAL: Health for All Film Festival - In 2024, WHO will continue to celebrate the power of audiovisual storytelling for health with all those interested in public health narratives! The 5th Health for All Film Festival calls for submissions from 1 November 2023 to 31 January 2024. This year, there is a Special Migrants and Refugees Health Film Prize. We invite public health institutions from around the world, nongovernmental organizations, communities, activists and students in public health, film schools, and other relevant domains to submit their original short films that shed light on the impact of migration and displacement on the physical and mental health and well-being of people on the move. Short films can also raise awareness on the rights and unique health needs of these populations, and showcase how access to health care for these populations contributes to their better health and well-being. Independent filmmakers, production companies, and TV broadcasters are also invited to participate. A multilingual social media kit with visuals is also available at the bottom of the page to further promote this call and invite submissions of short films on migrants and refugees health before 31 January 2024. For more information on how to apply, please visit the Health for All Film Festival website.
From November 27th to December 1st 2023 was held the Fourth WHO Global School on Refugee and Migrant Health. On the first four days, technical discussions will focus on core sub-themes under the overarching umbrella of the social determinants of migrant health: Health literacy - Recording; Working conditions - Recording; Housing and living conditions - Recording; Food and nutrition - Recording. The last day will be devoted to a panel discussion on the overarching topic of this year's school. [Recording].The full programme of the School is available here.
STATEMENTS: Watch the video statement of Mrs. Amy Pope, IOM Diretor-General on International Migrant’s Day 2023; December 18th.
PODCASTS: Scale up the implementation of the Global Action Plan on promoting the health of refugees and migrants. In most discussions on migration, the starting point is usually numbers. The current global estimate is that there were around 281 million international migrants in the world in 2020, which equates to 3.6% of the global population.To facilitate the development and implementation of national health policy strategies and regional action plans that respond to the health needs of people on the move Listen to the audio-podcasts!
CAMPAIGN MATERIALS: Join the 2023 campaign “Act today for a better tomorrow for all: Improving the health of migrants to unleash the power of migration.” by taking immediate action to prioritize the health of migrants, we can unlock the full potential of migration and create a healthier, safer, fairer world for all. Spread No Hate!, PLURAL+ is a joint initiative of the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) to rethink about Migration and inclusive societies. You are free to participate. Explore the poster andthe animation; Get the communication materials!
WHY WE CELEBRATE DAY?
HOW TO GET INVOLVED!
PARTNERSHIPS
With ever increasing numbers of migrants moving throughout the world, the United Nations General Assembly declared December 18th as a day to celebrate the role of the migrant and the contribution that migration brings to development.
We celebrate the International Migrants Day to address the social dimensions of climate change and migration, particularly regarding governance, conflict, human rights and international law, gender equality, economic and human development and public health.
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.
Explore the origins and the destination of migration corridors.
Pay a minute of silence for those who lost their life during their migration,
Understand the links between migration and education, and the challenges raised by intercultural education, brain drain/gain, student mobility and the international recognition of qualifications;
Contribute to a policy environment conducive to the social integration and inclusion of migrants;
Address issues related to international migration and development in a systematic and comprehensive way;
Protect and fulfill the human rights of all migrants, regardless of their status, with a particular focus on migrants in vulnerable situations and at most risk of human rights violations;
Promote a human rights-based approach to migration, which places the migrant at the center of migration policies and governance;
Ensure that migrants are included in all relevant national action plans and strategies, such as plans on the provision of public housing or national strategies to combat racism and xenophobia.
The International Day of Migrants is co-organized by the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), the International Organization for Migration (IOM), the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR), the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), the Special Rapporteur on the Human Rights of Migrants and the Global Migration Group (GMG).
With the collobaration the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat), the Migrants Rights International (MRI), United Nations Alliance of Civilization (UNAOC), The United Nations Academic Impact (UNAI) and the International Movement Against all forms of Discrimination and Racism (IMADR).
With the participation of he Civil Society Organizations, International and Non-Governmental Organizations, Diasporas and academics.
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