 United Methodist Mission Delegation to Attend Global Events on Migration, Development, and Human Rights |
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New York, NY, November 15, 2011--A delegation of 18 Methodists hosted by the United Methodist General Board of Global Ministries will attend the People's Global Action on Migration, Development, and Human Rights (PGA) in Geneva, Switzerland, from November 28 to December 2, 2011, as part of the mission agency's focus on global migration and poverty. The PGA is a grassroots event organized by Migrant Rights International that brings together migrant organizations from around the world. It is held in tandem with the inter-governmental Global Forum on Migration and Development (GFMD) and an event called Civil Society Days. GFMD is the only private, inter-governmental forum on migration. The General Board of Global Ministries (Global Ministries), including United Methodist Women, has organized a delegation highly representative of areas where The United Methodist Church and its mission partners are challenged by migration issues. It includes persons from the church's conferences in Africa, Europe, and the Philippines, as well as the United States. The delegation illustrates an ongoing commitment to the linked issues of global migration and poverty. Ministry with the Poor is one of four current Focus Areas of the denomination, and a model project on Global Migration is part of that emphasis at Global Ministries. Global migration is also an increasing concern of the United Methodist Task Force on Immigration, an official inter-agency entity. The backdrop for participation in the upcoming meetings in Geneva includes a 2008 resolution of the United Methodist General Conference, the church's legislature, on "Global Migration and the Quest for Justice," (#6028, Book of Resolutions 2008). This document understands the recent upsurge in migration around the world as resulting largely from the unequal distribution of resources and opportunities, with people pushed to relocate by poverty, underdevelopment, climate change, and war. At the same time, wealthy nations eagerly recruit migrant workers to fill gaps in their employment needs and lower costs, although the rights of the new workers are severely limited. Migrants encounter the barriers of racism, harsh enforcement policies, and criminalization of their very presence. Global Ministries' delegation to Geneva will seek to understand the migration realities faced by United Methodists and Methodists in diverse regions of the world. The group will join with secular organizations from six continents in exploring migrant experiences and migration policy. One goal is to strengthen networks to promote global, regional, and national policies that put migrant human rights at the center of concern. Another is to consider how sustainable development could make it possible for the poor to choose to stay where they are and not be forced to migrate in search of livelihoods. Methodist delegates will consider how this global advocacy experience can strengthen their ministries with 1) migrant-sending congregations, 2) migrant-receiving congregations, and 3) migrant congregations. The delegation organized by Global Ministries includes members of the United Methodist Task Force on Immigration, agency staff, United Methodist missionaries, students, and a director of United Methodist Women. Global Forum on Migration and Development The Global Forum on Migration and Development emerged from a United Nations High Level Dialogue on Migration and Development in 2006. It was organized as a private venture because nations were unwilling to create a process on migration within the UN that might constrain domestic policy. It was set up to meet annually for six years, hosted by specific countries, alternating between North and South. In 2011, the fifth meeting is hosted by Switzerland. The 2012 meeting will be in Mauritius. The process in 2013 will take place in New York City, where Global Ministries and United Methodist Women anticipate having an advocacy presence. Participation in the Civil Society Days is by invitation only. Some 200 invitees from faith, labor, development, and migrant organizations will convene prior to the Global Forum on Migration and Development. This year it is organized by the International Catholic Migration Commission. Carol Barton, a staff member of United Methodist Women, serves on the Consultation Circle for Civil Society Days. She will represent United Methodist Women and Global Ministries at the Civil Society Days. Bishop Minerva Carcaño of the Desert Southwest Conference will represent the United Methodist Task Force on Immigration. United Methodist Involvement in Migration Migration is a long-standing United Methodist and Global Ministries concern. United Methodist Women had representatives at the 2006 UN High Level Dialogue and has attended the GFMD and Civil Society Days since 2009. Global Ministries organized an international delegation to the People's Global Action in Mexico City in 2010. United Methodist Policy Global Migration is a natural expression of the United Methodist priority on ministry with the poor. The 2008 General Conference resolution, "Global Migration and the Quest for Justice," calls on the church to:
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Date posted: Nov 17, 2011 |
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