Act Today

“On International Migrants Day, we highlight the urgent need for safe migration governance rooted in solidarity, partnership, and respect for human rights."- António Guterres- The Secretary-General of the United Nations. From the annals of our history migration has played and continues to play an integral role in the growth and development of societies. People over the years have had to move for various reasons. This phenomenon continues to shape the world in which we live as more individuals seek better opportunities not only for themselves but also their families. Many individuals in an effort to escape hardships, conflicts, violence, climate change, and environmental degradation have had to risk limbs and in some instances lives. In recent times the topic of migration has become a political football of sorts especially at the level of the presidential elections in the United States of America as Republicans and Democrats have weaponized the issue of migration and immigration to win votes. In this effort to win power, the powers that be have created and sustained a fear of migrants that now manifests itself in almost every country in the world. International Migrant Day is observed annually on December 18th. The theme for International Migrant Day is Act Today. Indeed the international community must act with a great sense of urgency to stem the discrimination and hate that so many migrants face in their quest for a better life. Xenophobia. Xenophobia is an extreme, intense fear and dislike of customs, cultures, and people considered strange, unusual, or unknown. The term itself comes from Greek, where “phobos” means fear and “xenos” can mean stranger, foreigner, or outsider. Yet in Greek, xenos carries some ambiguity. It can also mean guest or wanderer. While it may represent a true fear, most xenophobic people do not have a true phobia. Instead, the term is most often used to describe people who discriminate against foreigners and immigrants. Unfortunately, we have witnessed in the recent times in Western Europe and the United States of America where some government policies are rooted in a culture of Xenophobia. This is problematic given that historically, these countries have been safe havens for many who have fled persecution based on their religion, ethnicity, and sexual orientation among other indicators. There are two primary types of xenophobia: Cultural xenophobia: This type involves rejecting objects, traditions, or symbols that are associated with another group or nationality. This can include language, clothing, music, and other traditions associated with the culture. Immigrant xenophobia: This type involves rejecting people who the xenophobic individual does not believe belongs in society. This can involve rejecting people of different religions or nationalities and can lead to persecution, hostility, violence, and even genocide. Decent Work. All human beings desire the same basic ideals and these are rooted in dignity and respect. Many migrants are hardworking individuals who give their all and more in order to build their communities and families. It can never be easy to begin life over in a new country and culture, without the support of family or friends. Yet, this is the reality for many migrants who succeed against the odds. All these migrants ask for is decent work. Decent work sums up the aspirations of people in their working lives. It involves opportunities for work that is productive and delivers a fair income, security in the workplace and social protection for all, better prospects for personal development and social integration, freedom for people to express their concerns, organize and participate in the decisions that affect their lives and equality of opportunity and treatment for all women and men. Lest we forget, migrants are responsible for bringing a multitude of skills that can benefit and enrich host countries and communities. Migrants can serve as agents of change, creating opportunities for progress and contributing to social and economic growth. Their contributions to the health and well-being of the society they live in are invaluable. For instance, migrant health workers were indispensable to the frontline response to the COVID-19 pandemic especially in the developed world. Additionally, many countries are increasingly relying on migrant workers in their health care systems as well as other industries. The United Nations (UN) theorizes that people on the move are powerful drivers for development in both their origin and destination countries, as workers, students, entrepreneurs, family members, artists, and much more. Migrants often maintain strong connections to their home countries while embracing their new communities, where they bring a wealth of knowledge, experience and skill. If managed well, mobility can be a cornerstone of sustainable development, prosperity and progress. Unlocking migration’s potential is key to accelerating efforts to meet the significant challenges of the 2030 Agenda articulated during the Sustainable Development Goal summit in New York in September 2023, for the benefit of all. The UN adds that there is an urgent need for the international community to provide people-centred and evidence-based solutions for people to remain in their communities, and for those who want to or must move. Oftentimes we believe that we are shielded from the harsh realities of the life and experiences of being a migrant. However, things can change very quickly. The country that appears stable today can become a hotbed for both political and economic instability tomorrow. Governments too have an awesome responsibility to ensure that migrants are integrated as best as possible in their new host countries. This responsibility must both be proactive and purposeful and grounded in legislative changes. As the global community commemorates International Migrants Day let us act now in redoubling our efforts and commitments to treat each other with respect. In the words of Ban ki Moon, migration is an expression of the human aspiration for dignity, safety and a better future. It is part of the social fabric, part of our very make-up as a human family. Migration is an expression of the human aspiration for dignity, safety and a better future. Wayne Campbell is an educator and social commentator with an interest in development policies as they affect culture and or gender issues. waykam@yahoo.com @WayneCamo © #InternationalMigrantsDay #ActToday