Hosting the VI World Social Forum on Migrations 2014 (In Partnership with the City of Johannesburg)

Presented by the Technical Secretariat The Southern Africa Forum on Migration and Mobility (SAFMM)

September 2013, Cape Town - Republic of South Africa

The World Social Forum on Migrations (WSFM) is one of the thematic processes of the World Social Forum (WSF).

The WSF is a global process of, and by, social movements, mass organizat ions, c iv i l society, act iv ists and advocates. Slogan = "Another World is Possible" = to explore alternatives.

The WSFM is an international event that takes place every second years, to provide a space for independent democratic debates, reflections, sharing of ideas and experiences, cultural exchanges, networking, collective exploration & discussion of strategies & alternatives models to existing migration policies, agendas and actions on migrations & mobility-related issues.

What is It?

Its goals include:

• To maintain a space to congregate immigrant groups, civil society organizations, scholars who address migration issues… to promote discussion, exchange of knowledge and experiences;

• To create a platform for building partnerships & alliances between CSOs, NGOs, FBOs, academic institutions and other political actors working on migration & mobility;

• To analyze migration policies, identify implementation gaps and develop alternative strategies ;

• To strengthen links and solidarity with migrant social and labor movements.

Goals

History

2005: First World Social Forum on Migrations in Porto Alegre - Brazil , as a theme (topic) of the World Social Forum. Theme: “Journeys in the global disorder”

2006: Second WSFM, the first one out of the WSF. It took place in the Spanish city Rivas Vaciamadrid, near M a d r i d . T h e m e : “ U n i v e r s a l citizenship and human rights – a n o t h e r w o r l d i s p o s s i b l e , necessary and urgent”

2008: WSFM starts taking place every two years. It was held in the same city as in 2006, now with the motto “Our voices, our rights, a World without walls”.

History

2010: It was held in Quito – Ecuador. Motto: “People’s Movement for Universal Citizenship: Collapsing the model building actors”

2012: For the first time the Forum is held in Asia, in Manila, Philippines, with the theme “Mobility, Rights and G l o b a l M o d e l s : Lo o k i n g fo r Alternatives”.

• The VI forum wi l l be held in Johannesburg, South Africa, for the first time on the African continent.

VI WSFM on the African Continent

It is expected to contribute to building and strengthening the civil society organizations & social movements on the African continent.

It will also provide the civil society with opportunity to share and exchange issues/challenges around migration, to further consolidate strategies on issues of nation building, integration, social cohesion, tolerance.

1. Immigrants & Diaspora; 2. Civil Society Organizations; 3. Social Movements; 4. Youth & Women Movements; 5. Migration Experts & Practitioners 6. Scholars & Academics 7. Trade Unions; 8. Farm & Mine Workers Associations;9. Domestic Workers Associations; 10. Activists and others,....

Who will attend the Forum

• Implement the strategic vision and direct ions of the Forum - to meet requirements and quality standard set up by the International Committee;

• Implements recommendations & decisions of the International Committee of the WSFM;

• Issue invitation letters to all delegates, especially where needed for visa application purposes;

• Identify relevant themes (on migration and mobility) for seminars and self-organized workshops.

Technical Secretariat

Team of 4 people and a coordinator The Southern Africa Forum on Migration and Mobility (SAFMM)

Technical Secretariat (Cont...)

• Resources mobilization (Fundraising) together with the IC & the City of Johannesburg;

• Update and Manage the WSFM 2014's Website;

• Works with the host City & IC for a hosting of a successful WSFM.

• Th e Te c h n i c a l S e c re t a r i a t together with the International Committee to identify and source speakers/resource persons for the plenaries of the WSFM;

Local Organizing Committee (LOC)

Works in 6 sub-committees:

Programme (Plenaries, Seminars & Workshops)

Documentation of the forum;

Mobilization and Networking;

Cultural and Entertainment;

Media and Public Relations;

Logistics, Safety and Security.

Local Organizing Committee (LOC)

• Programme sub-committee - responsible for defining elements of the programme and work in coordination with the Technical Secretariat to implement the themes set for the WSFM - other members are migrations experts & practitioners, academia,... - Create and develop guidelines for workshops and self-organized activities, speakers, rapporteurs & moderators for all activities of the WSFM.

• Mobilization and Networking sub-committee - looks into networking and mobilization of participants and social movements in the lead up to the WSFM, particularly securing local participants and communities.

Local Organizing Committee (Cont...)

• Cultural & Entertainment sub-committee - Design the Cultural & Entertainment Activities for the WSFM; - Identify & Invite performers and artists.

Local Organizing Team (Cont...)

• Documentation sub-committee - In charge of documenting the 3 days programme; - Work with the programme sub-committee to identify aspect of the programme that need to be documented for the overall report for the WSFM; - Collect and summarize daily recommendations from seminars & workshops; - Daily updates of Forum Website with articles, pictures and relevant information for participants,...; - Mobilize volunteers to assist in the documentation of the WSFM (Pictures, Video,...); - Prepare signage to help participants navigate the Forum venue,...; - Prepare participants Forum package (programme, name tags, materials,...); - Manage the notice and information board; - Work together with the IC to draft the Final Declaration of Social Movements attending the Forum.

Local Organizing Committee (Cont...)

Looks into all logistical concerns of the Forum, which includes among others: - Venue for the programme; - Interpretation Services (Equipments,.. English, French & Spanish); - Accommodation for guest speakers and resource people; - Stage set up and management; - Organize transport, secure necessary permits, facilities and equipments.

Logistics, safety and security sub-committee

- Wo r k o f t h e m e d i a s u b - c o m m i t t e e encompasses activities before, during and after the forum at national and international levels; - Together with the Technical Secretariat, to meeting with the Department of Foreign Affairs, for issuing of visa for traveling purposes.

Local Organizing Committee (end)

• Media and Public Relations sub-committee - looks into media publicity and media engagement necessary for public visibility of the Forum;

To look after overall implementation of the

tasks, progress made and challenges in preparation

for the WSFM.

South African Working Group (SAWG)

Technical Secretariat, Local Organizing Committee & the City of Johannesburg = Monthly Meeting

Dates & Venue for the Forum

Venue: University of Johannesburg

Date: 21 - 24 September 2014 (To Be Confirmed)

Themes for Seminars & Workshops

Integration and Social Cohesion: Role and initiatives of the civil society to

promote human rights, build & strengthen communities of peace and diversity;

Refugee Protection & Mixed Migration Movements in Southern Africa:

Contribution to the development of policies and strategies for effective mixed

migration flow management.

Health & Mobility in Africa: Mixed Migration Flows and Health Vulnerability;

Migration and Globalization: Reflections on Impact on Governance &

Migration Policies.

Environmental Migration and Climate Change.

Main Theme - Migration in the Heart of Systems (or Migration as the Heart

of Societies): Re-thinking Migrations and Genesis of Human Existence.

Themes for Seminars & Workshops

Crisis of Current Economic Models and New Migration Configuration,

Trends and Patterns in the World: Migration North - South & Migration

South - South;

Civil Society, Refugees and Migrants Initiatives as active actors and

contributors in the regional migration approach and policies;

Migration as Human Right: Role of Civil Society in promoting rights of

refugees and migrants;

Trans-frontier migrations - Human Trafficking and Smuggling;

Community Education & Migration: Strategies to address perceptions,

stereotypes and misconception as well as the increased xenophobia

violence in host communities.

Closing Statements

The Technical Secretariat has a strong confidence in the process of hosting the WSFM in 2014. Johannesburg has facilities & infrastructures, experiences, s o u n d t ra c k re c o rd s i n h o s t i n g Worldwide events;

We are honored and exited to partner with the SAFMM members to plan the first WSFM in the African Continent. We need members of the SAFMM to support and join the Local Organising Committee in making the Forum the most successful.

Thank You

Hosting the VI World Social Forum on Migrations 2014 (In Partnership with the City of Johannesburg)

Presented by the Technical Secretariat The Southern Africa Forum on Migration and Mobility (SAFMM)

September 2013, Cape Town - Republic of South Africa