The forum was built on the results of the first forum held in Hamburg, Germany in March 2023.
“We assert that migration is an integral part of humanity, but it remains an area full of injustice,” reads the forum's communica- tion. “We remain steadfast in opposing the crimes and weaponization of migration, and resisting immigration management policies that ignore human dignity and safety. ”
The forum discouraged the exploitative migration practices that prevented many from experiencing God's love and goodness.
“We have noticed a growth in the frustration of a significant proportion of young Africans seeking all possible paths to migrate to pursue employment and better living conditions,” the Communique reads.
Communiques include increasing efforts to address the social, economic, ecological and political root causes of irregular human migration and human trafficking to encourage action in churches, faith-based organizations, civil society organisations, policy makers, and the private sector in Africa and Europe.
The forum called for investment in the church “Protecting and expanding legal channels for migration to disrupt smuggling networks and increasing protections for immigration “It expands safe spaces for its growth and development from all forms of abuse, promoting sustainable integration and meaningful reintegration measures for immigrants. ”
The Communique calls for change in government responsibility and accountability in migration governance, ensuring everything “The bilateral immigration agreement is fair, transparent and has reliable accountability measures.” “Transition policies prioritize people's protection over borders. ”
The call to action highlights the protection of vulnerable groups such as children and encourages the church to ensure access and enjoyment of social services. This should be “guaranteed in all aspects of immigration governance.”
Calls to the Church, if possible, delay, and if possible “He contributes to the African Union's work on immigration management and governance. ”
The World Council of Churches was represented in the forum by Dr. Masaiwa Gunda, WCC Programme Executive on Programme Responses on Overcoming Racism, who serves as a member of the CCME Executive Committee.
Read the “Communique”
African Church Conference (AACC)
Find out more about the church' 60th anniversary of the European Commission on Immigration and Commission
“WCC Moderators Address Church Commissions for European Immigration” (WCC News Release, December 4, 2024)
Details of WCC's work on the Ministry of Migration and Multicultural
Church engagement to end statelessness
