1st National Conference on Migration and Refuge (COMIGRAR)
- Responsible Organisations: Coordinated by the Ministry of Justice through the National Secretariat of Justice, in partnership with the Ministry of Labour and Employment and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, with the support of the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
- ILO Regions: Americas
- Country(ies): Brazil
- Thematic areas: Evidence-based policy making; Protection; Social integration and inclusion; Social integration and inclusion
- MLFLM: 3.; 8.; 9.(a),(b),(c); 11.; 14.; 14.
Description
Implemented in two stages, the first being the convening of preparatory stages to be held in interested municipalities and states, and the second, the national stage.
In total, 202 preparatory conferences were held, with the participation of social organizations and movements (45%); academic community (16%); Brazilians abroad (13%); government (11%); foreigners in Brazil (5%); and others (10%). A total of 2,840 proposals prepared by 5,374 participants have been submitted to the national stage.
The national stage of COMIGRAR had the participation of 788 people, including 232 observers, 556 delegates from 30 different countries representing 21 Brazilian states, 65 volunteers, and 22 media outlets. Delegates were elected from among migrants, refugees, scholars, civil servants, and professionals dealing with migration issues.
Implementation PeriodPreparatory stage: December 2013 to May 2014
Date of Conference: May 30 and June 1, 2014
Context of the interventionThe 1988 Constitution enshrined the principle of social participation as an affirmation of democracy. Since then there has been a proliferation of forms and forums of participation at all levels of the Federation, fulfilling the role of real public arenas and meeting places between society and state. Among these are the National Conferences, in which millions of people have participated in the debate on public policy proposals - from the municipal, free, regional, state stages to the national stage. The conferences are convened by the Executive Branch and have the broad participation of civil society organizations. National Conferences have already been held on 24 topics, many of them with multiple editions.
Results/Impacts achievedThe topics discussed included access to services and rights by migrants; their economic, social and productive integration; citizenship and recognition of diversity; means of prevention and protection in cases of violation of rights; and social participation.
COMIGRAR’s legacy was a great mobilization and awareness in Brazil on the topic of migration.
Innovation or CreativityCOMIGRAR sought to promote an expanded social dialogue to provide inputs for the construction of the National Policy on Migration and Refuge based on human rights. The event had the broad participation of migrants and refugees and promoted the convergence between the agendas on the topic in State policies. Its dynamics enabled the convergence of different, dynamic, pluralistic and representative perspectives, raising a wide set of proposals. Therefore, it enabled the issue to be seen in a plural and multidisciplinary manner.
References for Contact Department of Migrations – DEMIG/SNJ
Ministry of Justice and Citizenship – Esplanada dos Ministérios
Bloco T – Anexo II – Sala T3
70064-900 – Brasília-DF
Website: http://www.justica.gov.br/seus-direitos/estrangeiros
Website: http://www.justica.gov.br/seus-direitos/estrangeiros/conferencia-nacional-sobre-migracoes-e-refugio/plataforma-comigrar
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