international migrants day

Venezuelan migrants and others just crossing for the day into Colombia, walk past portraits of Venezuelan migrants and refugees displayed on 17 December 2018 along the Simon Bolivar International Bridge in Cucuta, Colombia, as part of the “Somos Panas” (“We Are Buddies”) campaign organized by several NGOs with the aim of giving visibility and face to people in migratory condition. Photo: AFP/Schneyder Mendoza

International Migrants Day: Here’s what you need to know [video]

International Migrants Day is observed annually on 18 December to raise awareness regarding the challenges and difficulties of international migration.

international migrants day

Venezuelan migrants and others just crossing for the day into Colombia, walk past portraits of Venezuelan migrants and refugees displayed on 17 December 2018 along the Simon Bolivar International Bridge in Cucuta, Colombia, as part of the “Somos Panas” (“We Are Buddies”) campaign organized by several NGOs with the aim of giving visibility and face to people in migratory condition. Photo: AFP/Schneyder Mendoza

In December 1990, the United Nations (UN) General Assembly adopted a resolution on the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families.

Nearly two decades later, the number of international migrants reached approximately 272 million, showing an increase of more than 51m since 2010.

All migrants are entitled to equal protection of all their human rights. On this International Day, I urge leaders and people everywhere to bring the Global Compact to life, so that migration works for all.”

UN Secretary-General António Guterres

Shockingly, one out of every ten migrants is under the age of 15. According to the Migration Data Portal 13.9 percent of migrants in 2017 were children, and 10.8 percent were classified as young migrants.

International Migrants Day theme for 2019

The International Migrants Day theme for 2019 is “We live together,” which aims to promote social cohesion in millions of communities around the globe.

Residents are urged to use the hashtag #WeTogether to raise awareness and share their stories to highlight the reality of migration and how it shapes society.

The International Organisation for Migration (IOM) director-general Antonio Vitorino highlights the importance for societies and communities to embrace migrants.

“From the Syrian barber plying his trade in Turkey, to the classical musicians from Venezuela performing with peers in their Dominican Republic orchestra, we witness the promise that is released when migration is well-managed and handled with dignity for all.”

Community, solidarity, dignity

He warns against solely focusing on the extreme hardship when we speak of migrants, so often “caught up in the narrative of a crisis.”

Instead, International Migrant Day is a chance to respect the rights and dignity of all, and an opportunity to recognize the millions of migrants who are integral members of our communities.

“Community, solidarity, dignity and humanity are, for migrants and refugees, more than abstract notions; they are values that represent the promise of a more desirable future – a future that we have a duty to offer them.”

UNESCO director-general Audrey Azoulay

A day without migrants

Contrary to popular belief, migrants play a vital role in communities, as well as the global economy as a whole. In the United States alone, immigrants have launched or founded several successful companies.

You may be familiar with Google, WhatsApp, PayPal, Tesla, eBay and Yahoo, to name just a few. In addition, immigrants account for more than half of Silicon Valley’s startups.

Watch: A day without migrants