Media Launch of UNESCO/UNICEF Publications on Internal Migration

On the occasion of International Migrants Day 2012, UNESCO and UNICEF will launch their recent publications on internal migration in India, resulting from the National Workshop on Internal Migration and Human Development in India held in 2011 and the Internal Migration in India Initiative (IMII). The Event will take place on 18 December at the UN Conference Hall, New Delhi, from 10.30 a.m.–12.30 p.m.

"Migration affects all countries – and so do myths and misperceptions about its impact.” - UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon, Message for International Migrants Day, 18 December 2011.

Members of Parliament and of Planning Commission are invited to release the two-volume Workshop Compendium on Internal Migration and Human Development in India and the Policy Briefs: For a Better Inclusion of Migrants in India. After a panel discussion with researchers from renowned universities and institutions and social activists on the challenges of internal migration in India, the floor will be open to questions by the Media.

In India, as per Census 2001, internal migration accounts for a large population of 309 million, or nearly 30 percent of the total population. In reality, internal migrants are excluded from the economic, cultural, social and political lives of society and are often treated as second-class citizens. The constraints faced by migrants are many: lack of formal residency rights; lack of political representation; inadequate housing; low-paid, insecure or hazardous work; limited access to state-provided services such as health and education and discrimination based on ethnicity, religion, class or gender. Still, internal migration has been accorded very low priority by the government in policy and practice, partly due to a serious knowledge gap on its extent, nature and magnitude.

Internal Migration in India Initiative (IMII):
In 2011, as a result of a two-day workshop on Internal Migration and Human Development, UNESCO and UNICEF launched the Internal Migration in India Initiative to support the social inclusion of migrants in the economic, social, political and cultural life of the country, using a three-legged approach combining research, policy and advocacy. The IMII is now an informal network of 200 researchers, NGO’s, policy makers, UN agencies such as the International Organization for Migration (IOM), UN-Women and UN-HABITAT, determined to raise the profile of internal migration in India and to propose policy changes and creative practices.

For more information, please contact: Ms. Marina Faetanini, Social and Human Sciences, UNESCO New Delhi Office (m.faetanini@unesco.org) and Ms. Ramya Subrahmanian, Social Policy Specialist, UNICEF India Country Office (rsubrahmanian@unicef.org).

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• Source:UNESCO New Delhi
• 03-12-2012