ICMC Advocacy
In our world today, individuals and families are forced to migrate for different reasons: abject poverty, persecution, war, among many others. Often obliged to leave everything behind, migrants and refugees face very tough situations. But as human beings, they still have rights.
To reduce their suffering, it is crucial to have laws and policies in place that protect their rights and promote their dignity. And that allow them to build a new future for themselves and their families, and, in turn, contribute to the communities that welcome them.
The International Catholic Migration Commission, ICMC, works with other Catholic organizations and civil society groups. Together, we encourage governments to put in place migration and refugee policies that safeguard people’s dignity.
We do this by advocating before governments, European institutions, international organizations, and UN agencies. Our experience on the ground informs our proposals. It takes a lot of networking, dialogue and patience, but it works.
The Global Compacts for Migration and on Refugees are proof of this. Recently, a large number of States adopted these international agreements. They will help make migration beneficial for all and share the responsibility for refugees among States.
Advocating for the rights and dignity of people on the move does make a difference in their lives.