The theme of the congress is: A pastoral response to the phenomenon of migration in the era of globalisation. Five years after the Instruction 'Erga Migrantes Caritas Christi'.

According to Vatican Information Service (VIS), 230 participants are expected to attend including members and consultors of the Pontifical Council for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant Peoples, delegates from Episcopal commissions on all continents, members of religious congregations and institutes, ecclesial associations and movements.

Four fraternal delegates from the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople, the Anglican Communion, the World Council of Churches, and the World Lutheran Federation are also expected.

The Director General of the International Organisation for Migration, representatives from the UN High Commission for Refugees, International Labour Office and delegates from international Catholic organisations such as Caritas Internationalis are also invited to attend.

This was announced in a press conference which was attended by Archbishops Antonio Maria Veglio and Agostino Marchetto, respectively president and secretary of the Pontifical Council for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant Peoples, and by Msgr. Novatus Rugambwa, under secretary of the same dicastery.

Archbishop Marchetto outlined the programme of the forthcoming congress, which will begin at 8 a.m. on November 9 with Mass in the Vatican Basilica presided by Cardinal Secretary of State Tarcisio Bertone.

During the opening session the participants will be received in audience by the Holy Father and the afternoon of the first day will be dedicated to the theme of: ?Population movements, both as cause and effect of globalisation.?

The morning of November 10 will be devoted to the question of: Youth pastoral care among migrants and refugees, and co-operation with Churches of origin and arrival. The afternoon and in the morning of November 11 will be dedicated to the subject of: ?Dialogue and collaboration as they relate to the theme of the congress.?

On November 11 questions on the: "Needs and challenges of ecumenical and inter-religious co-operation in the current situation of migrants and refugees (experience of the ecclesial movements)", and "co-operation between the Church and civil institutions for the wellbeing of migrants and refugees" will be discussed.

The afternoon of the same day will see a round table discussion on "the pastoral care of migrants and refugees in prison and in detention camps".

The day will conclude with the Festival of Peoples.

During the press conference Archbishop Veglio said, "Globalisation" has created a new labour market and, consequently, forced many to emigrate, also in order to flee from poverty, misery, natural catastrophes and local and international conflicts, as well as from political or religious persecution.?

He continued, ?This has opened markets to international intervention, but it has not torn down the walls of national boundaries to allow the free circulation of people, even with due respect for the sovereignty of States and their constitutional charters, safeguarding legality and security".

"Specific pastoral care in relation to migrants is summarised in the value of welcome. This must be shown to people of various nationalities, ethnicity and religion and helps to make the authentic face of the Church visible.?

Archbishop Veglio said that for such a pastoral care to be effective, co-operation between the migrants' Churches of origin, transit and arrival is fundamental.

?The present globalised world calls the Church to face, day by day, the causes of migration and the consequences it has in the lives of migrants and local people. The Church is close to migrants, especially to the victims of human trafficking, to refugees, to asylum seekers, and to the people who undergo the drama of human mobility,? he reiterated.

He said the church is called to defend their cause in various contexts, also through collaboration in promoting adequate laws, at the local and international levels, that favour proper integration.