Social cohesion and community resilience: countering discrimination and xenophobia against migrants
Channel: IOM - UN Migration
Date: 2020-11-17

Participants at previous IDM discussions recommended that the migration narrative should be reframed in positive terms, in order to curtail racism and xenophobia and to champion the merits of migration. In the context of COVID-19 outbreak, racist and xenophobic incidents have been widespread4 and it is feared that – against a background of social tensions created by economic downturn – cases of xenophobia will further increase. It is therefore important that the fight against xenophobia continue and that it is included in economic and social recovery efforts, recognizing the rich contributions of migrants the world over, which will also be essential in the post-pandemic phase. Moreover, as also highlighted at the IDM 2015 High-level Conference on Migrants and Cities, the particular needs and vulnerabilities of migrants in times of crisis need to be specifically addressed in urban emergency planning and responses. This session will respond to participants’ calls for IOM to use its convening power through the IDM to hold future conferences with local officials to discuss the different situations faced by low- and high-income cities and cities with more or less experience in managing migration, including in crisis situations. Furthermore, given IOM’s membership of the Mayors Mechanism, and its engagement with authorities at local level and partners, the panel will also consider the need for migrant-sensitive local health systems.

Speakers:
• Glen Linder, Director General, International and Intergovernmental Affairs, Canada
• Ulvi Aliyev, Chief of International Cooperation Department of the State Migration Service, Azerbaijan
• Robinson Sathekge, Head of Migration Unit, City of Johannesburg, South Africa
• Monica Trigos Padilla, North America Regional Focal Point and Shaping Narratives Lead of the Migration Group, UN Major Group for Children and Youth