GENEVA, 24 October 2013 (ICMC) – Today the International Catholic Migration Commission (ICMC) commends the United Nations for its crucial role in propelling concerted, global efforts to achieve peace and inclusive progress. Today marks the anniversary of the entry into force in 1945 of the United Nations Charter, which founded the UN.

One of the UN’s invaluable contributions to the protection of vulnerable displaced people around the world is to promote international dialogue on migration – a preferred alternative to the options of violence and “selfish indifference”, to use the words of Pope Francis.

“The United Nations is a place of great dialogue, aspirations, and action,” said ICMC’s Head of Policy, John K. Bingham. “Peace and solidarity are worth talking about; the talk is worth acting upon.”

Through initiatives such as the UN’s second High-Level Dialogue on International Migration and Development (HLD), the UN is developing concrete measures for countries of both origin and destination to reap the benefits of international migration.

Earlier this month in New York, ICMC took part in UN efforts to promote peace and sustainable development in the context of migration at the second HLD, which in particular led to a joint declaration by Member States to safeguard international migrants’ human rights.

A number of specialized UN agencies, including the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), special UN programmes, and organizations with observer status in the UN General Assembly, such as the International Organization for Migration (IOM), complement each other to ensure adequate protection of the rights and wellbeing of migrants, refugees and internally displaced people.

In the field, ICMC in particular collaborates with UNHCR and other multilateral and local partners; ICMC also operates throughout Europe, the United States and in various developing countries to promote the long-term resettlement of refugees to a new country.

Only through close cooperation with partners, stakeholders and communities can a globalized society achieve anything. Yet, even more coordination and convergence is required, according to UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.

“We can do even more”, he said in his message in honour of UN Day. “In a world that is more connected, we must be more united.”

--by Vanessa Matyas in Geneva/lb