Civil Society Days Report to the Government Meeting, 29 October 2008.
Civil Society Dialogue Manila 2008
220 delegates from all over the world, representing concerns for some 200 million migrants met at the second Global Forum on Migration and Development in Manila to consider the rights and protections of migrants, the expansion of legal avenues for migration and the challenge of coherence within nations and across borders.
Our deliberations took place at an extraordinarily challenging time: as the world’s governments struggle for responses to the global financial crisis, and the threat of climate change, and as migration policies in many regions became more restrictive.
We see the challenge to develop global architecture for recognition, respect, rights and protections for migrants as the responsibility of the UN and no less urgent than the need for transparent global governance of the financial system or that required to reduce carbon emissions. The ILO predicts that some 20 million workers will lose their jobs as economic growth stalls, and the number of people who struggle to live on less than $2US a day will grow by another 100 million. Many migrant workers will be affected, and their families will be amongst the newly impoverished.
We must work to see that all migration is by free and informed choice.
The GFMD Civil Society Days opened its two-day meeting in Manila on October 27-28 with over 270 delegates, resource persons, and speakers representing almost 60 countries around the world. The meeting kicked off with opening addresses by Ayala Corporation CEO and Ayala Foundation co-vice chairman Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala (convenor of GFMD Civil Society Days); ITUF President Sharan Burrow (conference chairperson), and King Baudoin Foundation director Francoise Pissart (last year’s convenor).
In his address, Mr. Zobel outlined a vision of “a world where migrants, given the full and unstinting support and protection of their home country and their country of destination, can contribute to the development , not only of their families and hometowns, but also to a larger community of both sending and receiving countries.”
Ms. Burrow spoke of two threats to world order – the global financial crisis and climate change – which could have an impact on global migration. She warned that restrictions on labor migration “will not only deprive developed countries of badly-needed manpower in certain areas”, it would also constrict rather than expand growth potential of the global economy.
This year’s Civil Society Days has been extended to two full days of meetings from its earlier one-day format and now includes an afternoon interface session with government representatives for its closing plenary on October 28.
Conference Speeches are posted online
Conference speeches and presentations will be posted online in the language they were delivered. To access a speech or presentation, go to Conference Programme and click on the "speech" link to download the speech of each speakers.
Speakers’ Profiles
Profiles for all speakers and workshop chairpersons (in alphabetical order) have been posted on this site under the Conference Speakers section. The complete list of all delegates and e-mail addresses has been printed and included in the conference kits.
Delegate Services
The following services are available at the Executive lounge, 2nd floor, Philippine International Convention Center (right outside the Banquet Hall) for the benefit of GFMD Civil Society Days delegates :
Internet Lounge. An internet lounge equipped with 30 personal computers has been set up by Microsoft with wireless connections provided by Globe Telecom for the use of delegates.Delegates may also bring their own laptops and access the wi-fi connections.
After Civil Society Days, the computers will be donated by Microsoft, Globe, and Ayala Foundation to 10 migrant worker NGOs in the Philippines.
Resource Central. Delegates who wish to give away their own research materials may drop them off at Resource Central for sharing with other delegates.
Coffee, cappuccinos, lattes are available from Kape Isla of the Philippine Coffee Board and from Figaro Coffee Corporation. All coffee served at the meeting is Philippine-grown coffee as part of a joint effort of the Philippine Organizing Committee and the Philippine Coffee Board to support Filipino farmers.
Flashdrives. All delegates have been provided with a 2-gigabyte flashdrive for storing documents which will enable conference organizers to minimize the printing of reports. The flashdrives have been pre-loaded with all conference background research papers.
Courier services. In case you find yourself with too many documents to carry home in your luggage, courier service at special discounted prices are being provided by Federal Express.
About Ayala Foundation. Delegates are welcome to find out more about Ayala Foundation by visiting our information center beside Resource Central and meeting our staff.
More news ... Conference Documents Now Posted, 17 September 2008 Online Discussions Now Open, 17 September 2008 Application for Civil Society Days Closed, 16 July 2008 Application for Civil Society Days Extended, 27 June 2008 French and Spanish Application Forms Available, 6 June 2008 Media Accreditation Form Released, 26 May 2008 Application for Civil Society Days Now Open, 16 May 2008 International Advisory Committee Organized, 12 May 2008
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