No. MRI/GFMD2008/02      16 June 2008 [Updated 25 June 2008]            ENGLISH

Dear Friends,

Greetings from Migrants Rights International!

We would like to send you information on the Global Forum on Migration and Development (GFMD), which will take place from 27 – 30 of October 2008, and related civil society events.

The GFMD is an inter-governmental forum (a meeting of governments) that has started to take place every year to discuss issues related to migration and development. It is important that civil society groups engage in the GFMD, because it has become one of the principal international spaces in which governments discuss migration and development policy. International discourse on migration policy and its relationship to development – and migrants’ rights - is being developed there. Further, the GFMD is structured to promote the negotiation of bilateral and multilateral agreements between governments on migration (such as guest worker programs) by providing a forum called the “Marketplace”.

The application process for participation in the Civil Society Days of the GFMD is now open, and applications are now available in English, Spanish and French. The deadline for application is15 JULY 2008 [extended from 30 June 2008]. We are sending you the application form here. You can also download it from the site http://www.gfmd2008.org/delegation_info/delegate_app_forms.html. A limited number of participants will receive financial support to cover the financial costs of participation.

We would also like to let you know that MRI, together with the Philippine Working Group, a coalition of civil society organizations in the Philippines, will be organizing a civil society event parallel together with other partners in Manila, Philippines, a few days prior and during the GFMD. This is an independent civil society event, separate from the "civil society days" of 27 and 28 October. It will include workshops, panel discussions, mobilizations, time for internal meetings of organizations, space for self-organized workshops, cultural performances, and other activities.

We are sending below more information in two documents : (1) FAQS on the GFMD ; (2) Update on GFMD and civil society events (No. GFMD2008/01) ; and (3) « MRI News » issue 08/01 with information on civil society strategy session on GFMD in Geneva in March 2008.

Should you have any questions or desire further information from us, please contact us at migrantsrightsinternational@gmail.com.

Best wishes,

Migrants Rights International

Please click here for FAQs About the GFMD

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