Migrants International Day

Migrants International Day was celebrated worldwide on Thursday the 18^th   of December 2008. It was also celebrated in The Netherlands. HIRDA, a member of the Diaspora Forum for Development (DFD) attended the event organised by DFD in The Hague.

Tuky Santillan, a Dutch-Argentinean and a member of DFD explained what extra-ordinary the day meant for migrants in The Nederland. She introduced DFD as a large platform organisation with more that 40 migrants' organisations out of which eight are platforms of organisations from other continents of the world such as Asia, Africa and Latin- America.

DFD celebrated International Migrants day called December 18(an NGO with special consultative status of Economical and Social Council (ECOSOC) of the United Nations. We have a co-operation with them that will last three years through the support of Oxfam-Novib. Our objective is to promote awareness on the meaning of the day to migrants in The Netherlands. I once fled because of a dictatorship and have lived in The Netherlands for more than 32 years. Today, 19^th December, we are busy with the end party of the International Migrants day. Yesterday was really a fantastic day; this was because we involved different radio programmes such as Radio Wereldomroep, radio 1, Amigo and radio Delft. It is a good thing to celebrate such day because we think that migrants are not treated well.

We are talking about 200 million migrants who have left their motherland searching for a peaceful and better life to build up their lives again. For the past years, history has repeated itself a little especially in the ‘70^s. People from other countries came to Europe to work. In the ‘80^s, many women from Argentina came to The Netherlands to work, and we want to give migrants a face (or recognition). Considering this fact, you will understand that it is necessary celebrate. The universal explanations are not only political flight as there are other reasons to migrate. Some migrated for studies while others move to live with their loved ones.

This year the Universal Human rights celebrated its 60^th birthday. You may think if it is necessary for migrants to celebrate another conference. The universal explanation is that Universal Human rights on migration has focused on only on political refugees. When it comes to migrants, it is a different story. Therefore, for good reasons migration conventions must be ratified. 

On 18^th December, a round table discussion was organised in Rotterdam bringing civil organisations to discuss International Migrants' day. Santillan attended the discussion on behalf of the DFD. Kathleen Ferrier of Dutch Christian Democratic Party (CDA) vice-chairman of the Permanent House Commission Social Affairs and Employment was also present. Ferrier's presence boosted the discussion especially when she herself said that she is also a migrant. We the DFD think we should really celebrate because there are migrants who have contributed immensely to this society. What would The Netherlands be without migrant's multi-cultural contributions? 

Many people with many cultures come to The Netherlands with a lot of baggage full with experience, language and food delicacy.

When you walk round Amsterdam and see the diversities it is what makes a land complete.