“For many years, many have spoken on our behalf.
This time, we will speak for ourselves.”
This concerted voice is our voice -- the Migrants’ Challenge to the GFMD. Coming from all over the world, we will gather in Manila on October 28-30, 2008 and will speak for ourselves when the inter-government-led Global Forum on Migration and Development (GFMD) will talk about our lives, our future and how we should be “managed”.
In our international gathering, we will share our experiences on how neoliberal globalization policies have not just driven our people into poverty but has continued to enslave us as cheap labor and terrorize us as threats to national security and economy. We will also discuss and critically analyze how the GFMD serves as a device for neoliberal anti-poverty and financing strategy. We will learn from each other’s experiences in the struggle for our rights and strengthen our unity and solidarity with the different sectors of society and organizations worldwide supportive of our rights. Together, we will raise our challenge to the GFMD -- Stop forced migration, ensure jobs back home, end poverty ! Uphold and Protect the rights of Migrants and Refugees!
Our international assembly is a collaborative effort of the International Alliance of Migrants (IMA) and Migrante International (Philippines). IMA is the first-ever global alliance of more than a hundred grassroots associations, organizations, unions, networks and alliances of migrant workers, immigrants, refugees and displaced peoples. We are also supported by Asia Pacific Mission for Migrants (APMM-HK), IBON Foundation (Philippines) and BAYAN (New Patriotic Alliance-Philippines).
Together with other sectors and organizations supportive of migrants rights, we shall hold panel discussions, workshops, a speak-out (co-organized with Asia Pacific Forum of Women in Law and Development or APWLD and CARAM-Asia) and other activities. Please see attached concept paper and tentative program for details.
There shall be a registration fee of USD 100 for each participant to contribute for food, accommodation, conference and mobilization expenses.
For inquiries, please write to the secretariat at this email address: iamr.sect.08@gmail.com. You may also call the organizing committee and secretariat at the following numbers:
+632-927-6981 (attn: Joy Sison) or
+632-421-0708 (attn: Rina Anastacio).
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