Global Forum on Migration & Development

Deadline: June 30, 2012

The Global Forum on Migration and Development (GFMD) emerged as an outcome of the UN General Assembly’s High Level Dialogue on Migration and Development in 2006. It is a state-led (but not states-only), voluntary process dedicated to informal, non-binding and outcomes-oriented dialogue. Policymakers and stakeholders from many countries all over the world participate in various GFMD meetings, in particular a large annual GFMD convening, to discuss the relation between migration and development, share experiences and forge practical cooperation.

Although state-led, the GFMD directly engages civil society partners, including migrant and diaspora organizations, human rights and development groups, labour unions, and members of the academic community and the private sector. Civil society partners are invited to provide input and make recommendations and concrete proposals. To this end Civil Society Days (CSD) are organized prior to the annual meeting of governments.

Each year the GFMD is organized by a different host government.  For its sixth year in 2012, the Chair is the Republic of Mauritius. In 2013, the Global Forum will not take place; instead the General Assembly of the UN will be hosting the second High Level Dialogue on International Migration and Development. In 2014 Sweden will be chairing the GFMD; in 2015, Turkey.

The Civil Society Days of the 2012 Global Forum on Migration and Development (GFMD) will take place on 19 and 20 November in Mauritius. A shared session with government and civil society representatives is scheduled for the morning of the 21st of November.

• Application to the Civil Society Days 2012 is open to all sectors of civil society, including diaspora and migrant organizations, human rights and development groups, labour unions and representatives from academia and the private sector.
• In addition, a smaller number of observers, governments and special guests are welcome by invitation only. Invitations will be sent over the summer. Media representatives can apply for accreditation to the Civil Society Days at a later stage.
• There will be 150 - 200 civil society delegates. As in all prior years, if more people apply, there will be a selection process supervised by the Civil Society Coordinating Office and the International Advisory Committee to ensure inclusive and diverse participation, taking into account sectoral, geographic, and gender diversity, broad constituency and relevant experience and knowledge on migration and development issues.
• Per organization only one application will be accepted.
  
  
  Further information: http://www.gfmdcivilsociety.org/forms/index.php?sid=57663&lang=en&loadsecurity=30