Joint WCC/MECC Working Group on Refugees Meeting
In order to have a better understanding of the migration phenomenon and growing racism worldwide, the MECC Unit on Life and Service/SRDM program organized its yearly Joint Working Group meeting, from November 27-28, 2006, engaging its ecumenical partners to explore together ways of collaborating and fighting racism and xenophobia.
In her opening words, Unit director Ms. Hadeshian highlighted the many issues related to marginalized groups, including racial discrimination and the violation of rights of minorities, immigrants, and ethnic groups. These are causes for conflicts endangering world peace and stability she said. There is a need to develop a culture of acceptance and better understanding of the root causes of migration.
The topics discussed included: the Exploitation of Migrant Workers; Economic implications in Migration movements; Racism and Xenophobia in favor of Political Gains; Racism in the Gulf region; WCC perspective on the Global Ecumenical Network and Joint WCC/MECC Working Group Meetings; Racism in the Middle East and the churches¹ witness; Religious traditions and their understanding of refugee and migrant ministries as a source of hope; Immigration Movements and the integration of Migrants; UNHCR¹s protection role in the context of increased Migration movements; the Role of International Organizations in finding solutions (UN, IOM & EU); the Role of the media in combating negative public opinion of refugees; and Racial Discrimination & Detention of asylum seekers.
Group discussions followed each session giving room to personal reflections and interpretations as well as recommendations for interchurch collaboration and networking taking into consideration the situation in their region, building advocacy strategies that will affect national migration policies and migrants¹ rights. Participants proposed to organize similar workshops in other regions, for information sharing and learning from local experiences.
For more information, kindly contact Ms. Seta Hadeshian at: meccls@cyberia.net.lb
Middle East Council of Churches Office of International Ecumenical Relations P.O. Box 5376, Beirut, Lebanon
Guirgis Ibrahim Saleh, General Secretary
mecc@cyberia.net.lb or guirgissaleh@cyberia.net.lb
+961-1-353-938 http://www.mec-churches.org/