São Paulo, May 25, 2018 – The ninth annual meeting of the Scalabrini International Network of Migrant Shelters and Centers, supported by the Scalabrini International Migration Network (SIMN) was held in Sao Paulo, Brazil from May 21 to May 24, 2018. Twenty-three representatives of different shelters and/or Centers for Migrants of South and Central America and Asia participated at the meeting.
The main objective was to update the strategic plan of the Scalabrini International Network of Migrant Shelters and Centers in the face of the current challenges of migration to strengthen their services to migrants and their collaboration with other areas and services of the Scalabrinian Congregation, government agencies, and civil society.
Among some of the subjects, the participants considered during the four-day meeting were the main challenges of current global migrations and specific, significant and exemplary responses at a global level and the cooperation strategy between the Network of Scalabrinian Shelters and Centers with governments, International Organizations, civil society organizations, including migrant organizations and the private sector.
“This annual meeting is a significant space for sharing our challenges and define our coordinated responses to migrants, refugees, internally displaced people and seafarers worldwide on behalf of the Congregation of the Missionaries of Saint Charles, Scalabrinians,” stated the Executive Director of SIMN in the conclusion of the meeting.
About SIMN – SIMN is supporting more than 250 Scalabrini centers, shelters, and programs that are providing lodging, food, training, and employment programs; psychological and religious services; protection to victims of human trafficking; and support in the integration process to migrants, refugees and seafarers on five continents. In 2017, Scalabrini centers supported 136,319 migrants and refugees and 227,785 seafarers around the world. SIMN also supports a network of schools providing education, supplies, and food to thousands of vulnerable children. SIMN is an accredited Non-Governmental Organization at the United Nations, the International Organization for Migration (IOM), and the Organization of American States (OAS), and from this perspective is providing research and support for regional and global policies to protect and promote the dignity and the rights of migrants and their families.