PRESS RELEASE

Empowerment and Human Rights, Main Focus in Second Migration Forum
07 November 2008

From October 27 to 30, 2008, delegates from all over the world convened for the 2nd Global Forum on Migration and Development (GFMD) held at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC), CCP Complex, Roxas Boulevard, Metro Manila.

Guided by the theme, “Protecting and Empowering Migrants for Development”, the agenda of the 2nd Global Forum was based on the findings of the First Global Forum conducted at Brussels, Belgium in July 2007. The Brussels Forum concluded that special emphasis should be given to the protection and empowerment of migrant workers all over the world, placing high importance on the protection of human rights and promotion of regular migration.

The Forum was divided in to two general meetings, namely the Civil Society Days, scheduled from October 27 to 28 and Government Meeting from October 29 to 30.

The event’s roundtable discussions were divided into three topics: Migration, Development, and Human Rights, Secure, Regular Migration can Achieve Stronger Development Impact, and Policy and Institutional Coherence and Partnerships.

The Department of Foreign Affairs acted as lead agency for the Philippine Government for the 2nd GFMD. Undersecretary for Migrant Workers’ Affairs, Esteban B. Conejos Jr., served as the Special Envoy for GFMD, and the Overall Chairman of the Philippine GFMD Preparatory Committee.

Members of the private sector, academe, and the civil society comprise the Philippine Organizing Committee for the Civil Society Days. These include the Ayala Foundation, Inc.. which was enlisted as the secretariat; SyCip Gorres Velayo & Co., Magsaysay Maritime Corporation, University of the Philippines, Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines, Economic Resource Center for Overseas Filipinos Philippines, Inc.(ERCOF), Migrant Forum in Asia, Manpower Resources of Asia, Inc., and Alliance of Progressive Labor.

The objective of the GFMD is to assemble government officials and experts from all over the world to enhance dialogue, cooperation, and partnership in the areas of migration and development. Moreover, it is intended to mutually identify and solve international migration issues that affect development of countries.