International Migrants Day – December 18

International Migrants Day is an annual observation commemorated on the 18th of December. The day is selected to spread awareness about the difficulties and challenges faced by migrants in different countries.

What is International Migrants Day?

International Migrants Day is celebrated on 18 December every year by the United Nations to acknowledge and secure the rights of migrants across the world. It is being celebrated on 18 December each year since 2000.

In 2006, a High-level Dialogue was organized on International Migration and Development which was participated by 132 members States of the United Nations. As a result of the Dialogue, it helped increase inter-governmental cooperation to solve the migration issues that have seen a rapid increase throughout the years.

Who are Migrants- Migrants are those sections of people who move across international boundaries or within the state of a particular nation with the intent of permanent or temporary residence. It has been reported that about 281 million people who are approximately 3.6 percent of the global population are international migrants who crossed International borders.

History of International Migrants Day

The day is a product of the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families and the Global Compact.

The convention International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers was adopted by United Nations General Assembly in 1990 and the Global Impact on December 2018. Finally, on the 4th of December 2000, the date was announced to be observed as International Migrants Day by the United Nations General Assembly.

Significance of International Migrants Day

Migration is a practice that has been seen throughout the history of humans, individuals migrate in search of a better livelihood and a harmonious lifestyle. It is an action that seems to be performed willingly or unwillingly in the majority of the cases where an individual abandons this native land for a better future.

It does not matter whether the migration is willing or forced it enforces a similar impact on the land where people move to. Migration of people majorly affects the biodiversity balance, the economy of that country, political instability or disputes, rise of poverty, and illiteracy among the migrants.

When the results of migration are analyzed it is prominent that not only the refugee country but the migrants who moved with a desire for better conditions also face many challenges. These challenges may include:

• Lack of resources
• Lack of management by the government of that country
• Spread of illiteracy due to lack of access to education
• Discrimination
• Identity crisis
• Getting deprived of essential elements of quality life such as clean water to drink, nutritious food, shelter, health facilities, etc
• Migrants being dependent on humanitarian aids
• Lack of employment among the migrants, and so on

Hence, the observation of International Migrants Day emphasizes countries and their governments to pay attention to these challenges faced by the migrants in their country and begin a cooperative and collective means of action that can help them develop a sustainable life with basic elements of quality of energy required for a human to live a peaceful and joyous life.

International Migrants Day: Quotes and Messages

Following are some quotes and messages related to the International Migrants Day 2021:

He doesn’t like my name … Of course we couldn’t all come over on the Mayflower. But I got here as soon as I could, and I never wanted to go back, because to me it is a great privilege to be an American citizen. – Anton Cermak

People come here penniless but not cultureless. They bring us gifts. We can synthesize the best of our traditions with the best of theirs. We can teach and learn from each other. – Mary Pipher

Remember, remember always, that all of us, and you and I especially, are descended from immigrants and revolutionists. – Franklin D. Roosevelt.

If we say we believe in equality for all then we must fight for equality for all, not betray our immigrant sisters. – Christine Pelosi

Theme of International Migrants Day

• 2021- Harnessing the potential of human mobility.
• 2020- Reimagining Human Mobility.
• 2019- We Together
• 2018- Migration With Dignity
• 2017- Safe Migration in a World on the Move