New York, New York, July 26, 2017—The Scalabrini International Migration Network (SIMN) gave testimony to the first Interactive Multi-Stakeholder meeting on the United Nation’s Global Compact on Safe, Orderly, and Regular Migration, held at UN headquarters July 26, 2017.

In his statement, Kevin Appleby, Senior Director for International Migration Policy for SIMN, stated that the contributions of migrants to both origin and destination countries are maximized when they are allowed to migrate and work in a safe and legal manner. 

“Providing legal pathways for migration ensures that migrants are able to contribute fully to their new communities and also help their families and communities in their countries of origin,” Appleby said.  “It increases their earnings, allows them to develop their own businesses, and gives them the freedom to fully unleash their talents and expertise,” he added.

Appleby testified on the panel focusing on the contributions of migrants and their production of remittances.  Member states, UN organizations, and civil society attended the hearing, which occurred a day after the two-day thematic session on the same subjects, part of the process of producing the Global Compact on Migration.

“The Global Compact on Migration is an opportunity to correct the excesses and shore up the weaknesses of the global migration system, in which all stakeholders—governments, civil society, and, yes, migrants—benefit and in which labor and other human rights are upheld,” Appleby concluded. “It is vital that the Compact has measureable goals and outcomes, as well as accountability mechanisms to attain those goals.”

The SIMN statement can be found at https://www.simn-global.org/anuncios/386/5978ee53cc886.pdf

About SIMN – SIMN is supporting more than 250 Scalabrinian 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 in five continents. In 2016, for example, Scalabrinian Centers has supported 120,738 migrants and refugees and 172,790 seafarers around the world. SIMN is also supporting a network of schools providing education, school supplies, and food, (possibly their only meal of the day) to thousands of needy children. In addition, 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.