Editorial by Conny Reuter, SOLIDAR Secretary General

Solidarity at the Core of Migration Policy!

25th September 2014

The future of Europe? The future of migration and integration were this week’s top themes, although they are not top of the agenda for the new Commission and the auditions. Migration was in the headlines once more for all the wrong reasons as news of the tragedy on the Maltese border again underlined the all too familiar problem. The situation on Europe’s southern borders continues to deteriorate. For SOLIDAR there is only one possible solution: more solidarity in EU Migration and Development Policy. It goes against the core values of the EU to ignore these tragedies and fail to take action to save as many human lives as possible. Moreover, the EU should think hard about its own responsibility in these tragedies: the narrative of “invasion” and the narrow focus on tightening border security – publicly supported by the reactionary attitude of political leaders – only help to multiply the dangers faced by the migrants. It is time for a paradigm shift in the EU’s approach to migration and development, with new policies based on the respect of human rights, a fairer sharing of responsibility among the EU Member States and support for the socio-economic development of the countries of origin.

We face demographic change in Europe and talk about the pledge to steadily increase the retirement age, yet meanwhile the ILO and other international institutions estimate that the number of jobseekers globally will rise by more than 13 million by 2018. At present, some 74.5 million men and women under the age of 25 are unemployed, giving a global youth unemployment rate of over 13 per cent which is more than double the overall global unemployment rate. As for developing countries, the number of workers living in extreme poverty in 2013 – on less than 1.25 USD a day – has declined by only 2.7 per cent globally, one of the lowest rates over the past decade, with the exception of the immediate crisis years (Source ILO). Ignoring this challenge will only drive more people to leave their continent and move to Europe in the hope of finding work and a better life.

Increased immigration creates problems which cannot be ignored: who will take care of emergency reception, housing, integration, social and health care services? Some national governments leave cities and communities to deal on their own with the logistical and financial burdens, creating serious problems at the local level, problems which are exploited by populist and racist forces.

Migration is enriching and necessary, but only if the need for emergency action and a proper strategy is recognized, coupled with policies to tackle the causes of migration. Looking at the photographs of the broken ships and dead human bodies, it is clearly time to combat human trafficking and the root causes.

The SOLIDAR Statement ‘Wanted: Solidarity at the Heart of EU Migration and Development Policies’ published yesterday stresses that migration is not a free choice. We call urgently for the focus to be shifted to implementing a common rights-based EU Migration Policy, for more solidarity in EU International Cooperation and Development Policy and access to public and social services. Next week, SOLIDAR will be present at the Sabir Festival on Lampedusa organised among others by our Italian member ARCI to deliver precisely this message.

Join SOLIDAR next week at the Sabir Festival of Mediterranean cultures on Lampedusa

In order to promote the idea of Lampedusa as the door to Europe, and not only a symbol of tragedies, SOLIDAR member ARCI – together with the October 3rd Committee, and the Lampedusa city council – is organising the Sabir Festival of Mediterranean cultures on 1 – 5 October 2014. The event will bring together representatives of civil society and institutions to promote a new concept of Mediterranean citizenship and solidarity. The dates were chosen to mark the first anniversary of the deaths at sea of 368 migrants on 3 October 2013.

SOLIDAR will take part in the event to call for a solidarity-driven EU migration policy based on the indivisibility of human rights. In our view, the Dublin Agreement stipulating that refugees and asylum seekers have to ask for asylum in the country of arrival as well as the populist and reactionary attitude of certain EU leaders towards migration policies contribute to creating a sense of isolation among the institutions on the island. It is time to change this pattern. There is an urgent need to promote a rights-based approach to economic and social development in the countries of origin and guarantee that the post-2015 development framework promotes human development and social justice.

You can follow us at the Sabir Festival through @SOLIDAR_EU

Wanted: Solidarity at the Heart of EU Migration and Development Policies

24th September 2014

In the last two decades thousands of migrants died in the Mediterranean Sea in their attempt to reach European borders, seeking international protection, better life and better opportunities. This ongoing human tragedy cannot be ignored and requires immediate action by the European institutions. SOLIDAR calls for a change in the EU’s migration and development policies that seem to be shaped by fear and populism. More solidarity is needed and this can be done on three main fronts:  by promoting a rights-based approach to EU migration policies which is not focused on tightening border security but on a more efficient responsibility-sharing system and the improved harmonisation of protection standards among Member States  by promoting a rights-based approach to international cooperation and development policy, aimed at improving economic and social development in the countries of origin as well as promoting human and social rights.  by promoting access for all to social services, health-care, education and housing.

Read the full version of the SOLIDAR Statement here

Empowerment through non-Formal and Informal Learning

22nd September 2014

Every day newspapers carry reports of the many migrants who have risked their lives to find refuge in the EU. The southern EU-Member States in particular are struggling to cope with the huge numbers of people arriving at their ports. The European Commission has called for solidarity throughout the EU to secure the more just and humane treatment of these migrants. Next week SOLIDAR will be present at the Sabir Festival in Lampedusa, where we will call for a solidarity-driven EU migration policy based on the indivisibility of human rights, promote a rights-based approach to economic and social development in the countries of origin and guarantees that the post-2015 development framework promotes human development and social justice. Solidarity also means access to public and social services. The EU Member States should stick to their commitments and offer humanitarian aid through access to health and care services, education and housing to the new arrivals to Europe.

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More Solidarity in the EU International Cooperation & Development Policy!

23rd September 2014

It is widely acknowledged that a lack of decent living and working conditions is one of the main push factors behind the decision by people from the developing world to leave their home countries. In fact, 90% of total international migrants, estimated by the International Labour Organisation at 214 million in 2010, are migrant workers and their families.

For this reason, SOLIDAR has been working to promote a rights-based approach to migration and development aimed at improving economic and social development in the countries of origin as well as promoting human and social rights (see more about SOLIDAR work on a rights-based approach to migration here). This is necessary, among other reasons, to make migration a choice, not a necessity.

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