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BASIC INFORMATION ON THE 6TH WORLD SOCIAL FORUM ON MIGRATIONS From 5 to 8 December/Johannesburg/ South Africa Theme : MIGRATION IN THE HEART OF OUR HUMANITY: RETHINKING MOBILITY, DEVELOPMENT AND GLOBALISATION The 6th World Social Forum on Migrations (WSFM 2014) will be held in Johannesburg, South Africa, from 5 th to 8th December 2014. As the first of its kind on African soil, WSFM 2014 provides a unique opportunity to improve our understanding of migration patterns within, to and from Africa. Around 3,000 delegates and participants from Africa and all over the world are expected to join the various WSFM events, including workshops, exhibits, cultural events, field trips and the march-rally on the last day. The 6th WSFM will be prepared, organized and hosted by the Southern Africa Forum on Migration and Mobility (SAFMM) and the WSFM 2014 Technical Secretariat, under the guidance of the International Committee (IC) of the WSFM.
Objectives Of WSFM 2014
To provide a platform for the sharing of experiences, exchange of information and knowledge, and the collective exploration of alternative models and strategies on managing migration and mobility globally and in the African region; To contribute to building and strengthening civil society organizations and social movements on the African continent; To contribute to the discourse and practice of nation-building, integration, social cohesion and tolerance; To create opportunities and spaces for networking, interaction and relationship building between migrant groups, mass organizations, social movements, civil society organisations, activists, and academics attending the forum.
Themes The overall theme of the WSFM 2014 is 'Migration in the Heart of our Humanity: Rethinking Mobility, Development and Globalisation'. The below-listed Thematic Pillars have been identified:
Pillar 1: Asylum Seekers Refugees & Forced Migration
Refugee Protection and Mixed Migration Movements in Southern Africa: Contribution to the development of policies and strategies for effective mixed migration flow management.
Pillar 2: Migration, Social Cohesion and Integration
Integration and Social Cohesion: Roles and initiatives of the civil society to promote human rights, build and strengthen communities of peace and diversity; Community Education and Migration: Strategies to address perceptions, stereotypes and misconception as well as the increased xenophobia violence in host communities.
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Migration and Globalization: Reflections on Impact on Governance and Migration Policies; Health and Mobility: Mixed Migration Flows and Health Vulnerability; Crisis of Current Economic Models and New Migration Configuration, Trends and Patterns in the World: Migration North - South and Migration South - South; Civil Society, Refugees and Migrants Initiatives as active actors and contributors in the regional migration approach and policies.
Pillar 4: Globalisation, Migration and Gender Pillar 5: Human Rights, Citizenship
Migration as Human Right: Role of Civil Society in promoting rights of refugees and migrants; Trans-frontier migration - Human Trafficking and Smuggling.
Pillar 6: Migration, Environment and Climate Change
THE SOUTHERN AFRICA FORUM ON MIGRATION AND MOBILITY (SAFMM) The Southern Africa Forum on Migration and Mobility (SAFMM) is a regional network of civil society organisations established in June 2012. It consists of social movements, migrant networks, non-government organisations, and other civil society formations that are promoting freedom of movement; and the civil, economic and social rights of migrants, refugees and displaced persons in the Southern Africa region. SAFMM’s overall goal is to bring together activists, practitioners, researchers and opinion leaders to share experiences on promising practices and to engage in collaborative advocacy and research in order to influence migration policy development processes in the SADC region. It seeks to achieve this, among others, by establishing and maintaining links with various national and regional networks; and engaging in dialogue with the Southern African Development Community Council of NGOs.
SOUTHERN AFRICA FORUM ON MIGRATION AND MOBILITY (SAFMM). (The South African Working Group (SAWG), Technical Secretariat Contact Information). First Floor, Zhauns Beverley House, 03 Beverley Street, Athlone CBD, 7764
Telephone: (+27) (0) 21 696 5764 Fax: (+27) (0) 86 514 8956 Mobile: (+27) 82 501 4527 or (+27) 72 426 5269
P.O. Box 821, Cape Town, 8000, Republic of South Africa
E-mail:
[email protected] [email protected] Web: www.safmm.org.za www.wsfm2014.org
3 THE SOUTH AFRICAN WORKING GROUP (SAWG) The South African Working Group (SAWG) is comprised of all stakeholders involved in planning and organising the WSFM 2014, namely the members of the Technical Secretariat, the Local Organizing Committee (LOC) and the City of Johannesburg (CoJ). They meet on a monthly basis to discuss the overall implementation of the strategy, monitor progress made and address any challenges in the preparation of the WSFM 2014. The South African Working Group is co-chaired by the TS Chair/Coordinator and the CoJ elected representative. TECHNICAL SECRETARIAT The Technical Secretariat (TS) works in close collaboration with the City of Johannesburg to ensure the timely and effective planning, organising and strategy development in the lead-up to the WSFM 2014. Among others, the responsibilities of the Technical Secretariat are to:
Implement the strategic vision and directions of the WSFM in order to meet requirements and quality standards set up by the IC; Provide overall guidance, direction and coordination; Cultivate and steward relationships with IC, City of Johannesburg and other strategic partners; Prepare the budget, raise funds and develop sponsorships; In consultation with the IC, identify the WSFM 2014 theme, programmemes and speakers; Approve visual identity and all marketing materials in line with SAFMM/WSFM 2014 brand guidelines.
MEMBERSHIP OF THE TECHNICAL SECRETARIAT The Technical Secretariat is comprised of the following member organisations of the Southern African Forum on Mobility and Migration (SAFMM). These include:
The African Diaspora Forum (ADF) – www.adf.org.za The Agency for Refugee Education, Skills Training and Advocacy (ARESTA) – www.aresta.org.za The Consortium for Refugees and Migrants in South Africa (CoRMSA) – www.cormsa.org.za The JOINT - NGOs Network – Mozambique – www.joint.org.mz; and The National Association of Non-Governmental Organisations - NANGO, Zimbabwe – www.nango.org.zw
Apart from the organisations listed above, any organisation sharing the objectives of the SAFMM and the WSFM 2014, and having the ability and expertise to contribute to the success of the WSFM 2014, may apply or be co-opted to become a member of the TS. The TS is open to individuals based on special skills, knowledge and expertise.
LOCAL ORGANISING COMMITTEE The role of the Local Organising Committee (LOC) is to coordinate the thematic, social and cultural programmemes and ensure the maximum participation of local and other social movements in the lead-up to and during the WSFM 2014. Six sub-committees were created to handle all the responsibilities and tasks required for the organization of the WSFM 2014. The Convenors of the various Sub-committees are also members of the Technical Secretariat. The Sub-Committees or portfolios are as follows:
Programmeme (Plenaries, Seminars & Workshops); Documentation of the forum; Mobilization and Networking;
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Cultural and Entertainment; Media and Public Relations; Logistics, Safety and Security.
PROGRAM SUB-COMMITTEE Responsible for defining elements of the programmeme and work in coordination with the Technical Secretariat to implement the themes set for the WSFM. The sub-committee creates and develops guidelines for workshops and self-organized activities, speakers, rapporteurs & moderators for all activities of the WSFM. Members of the subcommittee are migrations experts & practitioners, academia,...
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. The Mobilization committee will also look into mobilizing participants for the mobilization / rally on 8 December 2014.
CULTURAL & ENTERTAINMENT SUB-COMMITTEE Design the Cultural & Entertainment Activities for the WSFM; and Identify & Invite performers and artists. The cultural activities will be held daily during the forum.
DOCUMENTATION SUB-COMMITTEE - In charge of documenting the 4 days programmeme; - Work with the programmeme sub-committee to identify aspect of the programmeme 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 (programmeme, 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.
LOGISTICS, SAFETY AND SECURITY SUB-COMMITTEE Looks into all logistical concerns of the Forum, which includes among others: - Venue for the program; - Interpretation Services (Equipments,.. English, French & Spanish); - Accommodation for IC members, speakers and resource people; - Stage set up and management; - Organize transport, secure necessary permits, facilities and equipments.
MEDIA AND PUBLIC RELATIONS SUB-COMMITTEE Looks into media publicity and media engagement necessary for public visibility of the forum. Work of the media sub-committee encompasses activities before, during and after the forum at national and international levels.