Refugees

Countries Finalise Declaration on Refugees, Migrants

large5 August 2016: UN Member States have finalised negotiations on the outcome document to be adopted at the UN General Assembly’s (UNGA) High-level Meeting on Large Movements of Refugees and Migrants (HLM), which will take place on 19 September 2016. The agreed text takes the form of a declaration, which includes annexes outlining areas of agreement and next steps both on a ‘Comprehensive Refugee Response Framework’ and on a global compact for safe, orderly and regular migration. The negotiations on the outcome of the HLM were led by co-facilitators David Donoghue, Permanent Representative of Ireland, and Dina Kawar, Permanent Representative of Jordan.

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World Council of Churches: Have no fear

todayRefugees assume serious risks in trying to reach safety. At the same time, fears arise in European countries concerning the stability of societies and their ‘way of life’. These fears are increasingly used and manipulated by populist, nationalist political movements stoking the fire of insecurity and xenophobia. The so-called refugee crisis is treated as a security issue rather than a humanitarian one, and this has to be challenged; this is preventing progress gives reason to the fear people have, as real needs are not met, writes the Luntern Conference of the World Council of Churches.

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Italian Christians establish safe Mediterranean passageways for refugees




A coalition of Protestant and Catholic organisations has reached an agreement with the Italian government to provide travel and integration services for refugees from North Africa and the Middle East. The government will provide humanitarian visas to ensure the right to take up residence; the visas will not allow passage to other countries in the European Union. Christian agencies will furnish airline tickets to Italy as well as accommodation, assistance with asylum procedures, educational opportunities and Italian language courses.

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UN: ‘Dangerous New Era’ for World’s Record 60M Refugees




LONDON—The world is facing the worst refugee crisis in modern times – and the global response has been pitifully inadequate, according to the latest annual report from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. Humanitarian groups are calling for a global summit to address the crisis.

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New Zealand Diversity Forum 2014

New Zealand Diversity Forum

Celebrating its 10th year, the annual New Zealand Diversity Forum continues to bring together communities, central and local government, the public sector, the voluntary sector, business, civil society and young people from around the country to promote harmonious race relations in Aotearoa.

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