Ghana is hosting a Second Country forum of Catholic Development Organisations to deliberate on how effectively they can contribute to the UN post 2015 Development Agenda.
The two-day forum, which will bring Catholic Development Organisations in Ghana, The Gambia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone and Tanzania, is on the theme, “Responding to the Challenges and Opportunities of the UN post 2015 Development Agenda, the role of Catholic Development Organisations”
A statement issued by the Marshallan Relief and Development Services (MAREDES) and signed by a board member, W/Bro. Ambrose Yennah, said the forum also had a sub-theme, “Migration and Development in the context of post 2015 Development Agenda, the role of Catholic Development Organisations”.
It said donor agencies such as the European Union, the World Bank, the International Organisation for Migration, the USAID, UNDP, CARITAS International and institutions such as the Ghana Immigration Service, the Institute of Economic Affairs, the Christian Council of Ghana and the National Development Planning Commission (NDPC) will be taking part in the July 2 to 3,2015, forum at the Tullip Inn Hotel.
“Migration as a very serious global phenomenon; we are presented with a challenge of millions of young people on the move in perilous situations and dying in the Mediterranean Sea on their way to Europe. In our collective effort to stem the tide, this is what Peter Cardinal Appiah Turkson had to say; “we should not limit ourselves to mopping the water but first learn to turn off the tap”
The statement said there was the need to engage in actions that would sustain and drive economic growth and lift people out of poverty.
It referred to Pope Francis encyclical on climate change, Laudato SI (Praise be to you) which had sparked a debate and raises issues of morality, poverty and faith.
“There is a moral imperative for us as human beings and stewards of mother earth to protect the environment less when the last plant dies, the last man will die,” it said.
What purpose is it to serve?
There is the need to engage in actions that would sustain and drive economic growth and lift people out of poverty. One of the root causes of migration is climate change resulting in natural (human behavior) and unnatural environmental disasters leading to movement of people for reasons of safety, shelter, economic wellbeing etc. One of the root causes of poverty can also be premised on the structure of the global economy that is based on excessive consumerism. The crisis of global warming and climate change are particularly detrimental to the poor.
Pope Francis encyclical on climate change, Laudato SI (Praise be to you) has sparked a debate and raises issues of morality, poverty and faith. There is a moral imperative for us as human beings and stewards of mother earth to protect the environment less when the last plant dies, the last man will die.
Who are the Participants?
- National Catholic Secretariat (NCS)
- Marshallan Relief & Development Services (MAREDES)
- Ghana Immigration Service (GIS)
- Catholic Relief Services (CRS)
- Ghana Catholic Bishops Conference (GCBC)
- Christian Council of Ghana
- International Centre for Advocacy & Social Research (ICASOR)
- European Union (EU)
- International Organization for Migration (IOM)
- National Development Planning Commission (NDPC)
- Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA)
- Christian Mothers Association (CMA)
- National Council of Catholic Women (NCCW)
- CARITAS Internationalis
- CARITAS Africa, Nigeria, Tanzania, Kenya, CI, Sierra Leone,
- World Bank
- CAFOD
- MISEREOR
- UNDP
- OXFAM
- USAID
- CIDA
- SECAM
- UNFPA
A total of 70 Participants have been invited.
Why the subject Matter?
The Partners want to contribute global justice, peace and security by embarking on an advocacy campaign to promote safe and legal migration for a better world and dignity for all especially the poor and marginalized by working together to;
- Reduce the cost and risks of human mobility?
- Protect migrant’s rights and wellbeing?
- Prevent the exploitation of migrant workers in the light of the International labor standards?
- Prevent racism and intolerance such as the zenophobic attacks on migrant workers in South Africa and other parts of the world?
- Foster effective partnership so as to promote development in the context of movement of people?
What needs to be done further?
- There is the need for a broad national consultation with Stakeholders on the development of such a national policy on migration to make it a workable national policy and the benefit of education for the people who sometimes are ignorant of such critical national policies.
- There is the need for bold and transformative steps to shift the world onto a sustainable path of development.
- Share knowledge, mobilize resources and work together for global justice and peace for all including the poor and vulnerable.
- Collaborate for effective development cooperation, the promotion of common good and creating results and impact by bringing relief to people in need especially the poor and marginalized.
- Review any current legislation and national policies on migration aimed at tackling the global phenomenon of migration and its implications for development.
- Strengthen public policy engagement with stakeholders to create awareness.
- Take a re-look at the issue of poverty reduction in the context of National decentralization
- Reinforce the positive aspects of migration and the contribution it makes to growth and sustainable development especially to developing countries in terms of remittances.
- Advocate for a more convergence and have a framework that connects migrants, diaspora and migration with human and economic development.
Conclusion:
- Migration and development is closely linked to poverty and global warming with implications for development of affected countries. There is therefore the moral imperative for us in fighting poverty to also work to protect the environment by exercising stewardship for planet earth, work in solidarity with the poor, secure descent work for migrants and working for a better world by ensuring the common good for all humanity.
- The 2nd Country forum will provide a platform for effective advocacy, a strong public advocacy to force policy changes. The forum would use the platform for participants to advocate and raise public awareness of our responsibilities in caring for creation and the environment and its obvious implication for global poverty, migration and development.