Invitation to a Webinar on “Free to Choose Whether to Migrate or to Stay” on 21 August at 3 PM (IST)
@ICMC
Invitation to a Webinar on “Free to Choose Whether to Migrate or to Stay” on 21 August at 3 PM (IST)
The Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences (FABC) – Office of Human Development/ Climate Change Desk (OHD/CCD) is organizing a webinar to reflect and plan the celebration of the World Day of Migrants and Refugees 2023 on Monday, 21st August 2023 from 3.00 pm to 5.00 pm (Indian Standard Time).
CONCEPT NOTE
According to the data published by various international agencies such as the United Nations, ILO, and IOM, an estimated 23.6 million Southeast Asian migrants live outside their countries of origin. Southeast Asia has, since historic times, has been defined by large-scale population movements. Stretching over 11 countries—Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Timor-Leste, and Vietnam — and with an estimated population of 669 million people, it is an important sub-region of origin for labour migrants. While Northern America, Europe, and Western Asia are important regions of destination, the majority of the 23.6 million migrants from Southeast Asia remain on the continent, and roughly a third of them stay in the same sub-region.
Labour migration is driven by rural poverty caused by various reasons, such as natural and manmade calamities, differences in wages, and economic opportunities in the sub-region. Men typically dominate rural-urban and seasonal migration, as well as sectors like construction, agriculture, heavy manufacturing, fishing, and taxi/motor-taxi driving. Many rural-urban women migrants are employed as domestic workers, childminders, labourers in the garment industry and used as objects in the sex and entertainment industries.
The women, men, and children of migrants frequently lack access to basic social protection and amenities for the growth and welfare of their families, even though they contribute to the development of their respective countries.
The fact that the Migrants Commissions at the level of Episcopal Bishops Conferences, Archdiocesan/Diocesan Commissions for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant People, and Desks for the Care of Migrants exist shows how seriously and passionately the Church in Asia takes its responsibility to care for refugees and migrants. As we commemorate the World Day of Migrants and Refugees 2023 that will be celebrated this year on 24th September 2023, it is worthwhile to reflect on the various current scenarios in our respective countries and regions that force our brothers and sisters to flee their safe and secure homes and live in foreign lands for a living.
What specific opportunities and services have we been able to offer to create a just and peaceful world for all people and eliminate the chances of forced migration for a living? It requires a wide network of support to safeguard the lives and future of individuals and families who are forced to flee.
Therefore, the Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences (FABC), Office of Human Development and Climate Change Desk (OHD/CCD) is organising a webinar to reflect together and plan the celebration of the World Day of Migrants and Refugees 2023 and share our country scenarios and success stories of safeguarding people from forced labour for a living and journeying with the existing migrants and refugees in our respective countries.
The list of participants includes the following organizations:
Chairman and Secretaries of the Episcopal Commission for Justice, Peace, and Development or representatives; Chairman and Secretaries of the Episcopal Commission for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant People or representatives; Members of the International Catholic Migration Commission (ICMC) and of the Asia-Pacific Working group of “The Future of Work – Labour after Laudato si’” Project; and Special invitees and collaborating partners from different Asian countries who are working on the issue of migration.
Tentative Program Schedule:
- Opening prayer.
- WELCOME ADDRESS: His Eminence Cardinal Charles Muang Bo, President of FABC.
- Video Massage: His Eminence Cardinal Michael Czerny, Prefect, Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, Vatican.
- SPEAKER 1: Right to Migrate or to Stay: Theological Approaches to the Issue of the Migrants and the Refugees: Sr. Dr. Rekha Chennattu RA, Professor of Biblical Studies, Superior General, Religious of the Assumption.
- SPEAKER 2: Right to Migrate or to Stay: Pastoral Approaches to the Issue of the Migrants and the Refugees: Bishop Narciso V. Abellana, MSC, D.D. Chairman, CBCP Episcopal Commission on Migrants and Itinerant Peoples (ECMI), PHILIPPINES
- Presentation on WDMR 2023 by Michele Robibaro: Research-Reflection Section of the Listening-Dialogue Section of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development.
- Sharing, Suggestions from the Floor & FUTURE PLAN OF ACTION: Bishop Emeritus Allwyn D’Silva, Chairman, FABC-OHD/CCD.
- Concluding Remarks / Vote of Thanks & Final blessing.
Please register for the webinar by clicking on the following link: