In view of the increase in migration flows in the world, the UN General Assembly declared December 18th in 2000 International Migrants Daywith the aim of promoting the exchange of experiences and opportunities for cooperation between countries and regions in the face of the difficulties of international migration.
The creation of this anniversary aims to highlight the challenges, difficulties and adversities faced by migrants in the world and call on the nations of the world to help make migration a safe, regular and dignified process.
One of the most important harbingers of this anniversary is the adoption by the United Nations General Assembly in 1990 of the International Convention for the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and their Families.
In 2016, an important step was taken for migration as the United Nations General Assembly adopted a series of measures reflected in the New York Declaration on Refugees and Migrants. This declaration recognizes the positive work of migrants and works to protect the safety, dignity, freedom and human rights of migrants.
Human migration refers to processes of voluntary or forced migration of people from their country of origin or residence, permanently or temporarily.
The main reason for migration is the opportunity to improve the quality of life of migrants and their families and to overcome the economic, social and demographic inequalities of their countries of origin.:
- Hunger.
- Unemployment.
- wars.
- Persecution for political, ideological or religious reasons.
- Climate change and natural disasters.
Another influencing factor is the fact that the most developed countries have labor needs that they can hardly cover with the local population. The prerequisite is the presence of immigrants who can take on certain tasks, usually with low pay and no additional benefits.
By increasing the workforce and consumers and contributing their entrepreneurial skills, migrants drive economic growth in host countries.
On the other hand, technological advances, infrastructure and high capital mobility of nations have driven migration processes.
Paradoxically, the restrictive immigration policies imposed by countries and the manifestations of xenophobia limited such processes and contributed to the growth of the social phenomenon of “illegals” or “undocumented”.
Currently, efforts are focused on international cooperation to protect the human rights of migrants and to promote the development and sustainability of nations.
According to the United Nations, more than 59 million people were displaced from their homes for various reasons at the end of 2021: Conflicts, insecurity and impacts of climate change. These migrations are not always carried out in a safe and orderly manner. On the contrary, millions of people continue to take dangerous routes every year.
Therefore, The theme for 2023 on International Migrants Day is: “For the benefit of all, a humane and orderly management of migration”.
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) reiterates its commitment to promoting humane and orderly management of migration for the benefit of all, communities of origin, destination and transit.
CRM with United Nations information