2011 PGA kicks off: (http://www.facebook.com/MigrantsRightsInternational)

The 2011 and 6th edition of the People’s Global Action on Migration, Development and Human Rights (PGA) kicked off on 29 November aftenoon at the Maison des Associations in Geneva, Switzerland.

Over 70 people attended the opening session which included welcome addresses from MRI’s Colin Rajah, and the European Working Group’s (EWG’s) Nonoi Hacbang.  (The EWG is the 2011 PGA’s regional host.)  Nonoi also offered a snapshot of conditions faced by migrant communities around Europe.

This was then followed by a very engaging and stimulating Opening Plenary on the current state of migrant rights and conditions in various regions:

• Jose-Luis Guttierez (National Alliance of Latin & Caribbean Communities – NALACC) – the Americas
• Samir Abi (Pan-African Network for the Defense of Migrants’ Rights) – Africa
• Lissy Joseph (Migrant Forum in Asia – MFA) – Asia and the Middle East
• Abdessadek Atlas (Morrocan Association of Geneva) – Geneva

Later in the evening, the PGA and the GFMD Civil Society Days (CSD) made history by having the first ever joint civil society session with a fun and colorful Cultural Evening to celebrate our cultures and diversity.  After brief welcomes from ICMC”s Johan Ketelers, MRI’s Colin Rajah, and the Mayor of Geneva, participants then enjoyed a delicious dinner prepared by local Pakistani and Lebanese communities.  This was then followed by an exciting and fun series of cultural performances by other local migrant communities, including Filipino and Indian dances, a one-woman skit, and street theater by local Latino youth.

On 30 November, the PGA continues with concurrent workshop sessions in the morning, and then the 2nd joint civil society session at the Palexpo Convention Center with what promises to be a very heated and contentious “Future of the Forum” session featuring a video conference with Special Representative for the UN Secretary General on Migration, Peter Sutherland.

Blogs are posted daily at:

http://www.facebook.com/MigrantsRightsInternational?sk=notes

2011 PGA picture album at:

http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.282802911760984.64159.207494045958538&type=3

Come join us in this critical PGA and GFMD!

~ MRI