Local Integration Policies Discussed Under The Roof Of GTFM!..
“Local Authorities and Protracted Refugee Crisis: Sharing Key Lessons Learnt and Recommendations Webinar” which was organized by the steering committee of Global Task Force on Migration (GTFM) consisting of WALD, United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG), United Cities and Local Governments Middle East and West Asia Section (UCLG-MEWA), United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and International Organization for Migration (IOM) was held on 12 December 2022 with the participation of many national and international participants.
Gillian TRIGGS, Assistant High Commissioner for Protection at UNHCR, who made the opening speech at the Webinar expressed that; “Local governments provide opportunities for refugees in education, health and shelter with dedication and great devotion. Order and harmony are required not only for the new comers but also for the local people. Looking from the perspective of a holistic approach, we would like to thank the local government representatives and presidents once again.”
Mayor of Şanlıurfa Metropolitan Municipality and Co-President of UCLG-MEWA Zeynel Abidin Beyazgül who attended the Webinar as keynote speaker indicated that; “The issue of migration carries risks that can reduce the level of welfare. For this reason, we should consider the phenomenon of migration as a global phenomenon, not a local one.”. He finalized his words as; “Migration offers a culture of coexistence and richness at the point of intercultural integration. Social harmony created between different communities is extremely important. For this reason, the support given to local governments and the protection of the welfare level will strengthen the social cohesion of the local people with the immigrants.”
Former Mayor of Lampedusa Italy Toto MARTELLO stressed the human rights in his speech and expressed that; “No one wants to face the phenomenon of migration and local people and migrants can live in harmony in various fields of life within the framework of human rights.” Another speaker of the Webinar Assistant Director of the International Projects and Programs Unit at Greater Irbid Municipality stated that; “Studies carried out on the basis of cities, districts and neighborhoods are extremely important for the harmony of immigrants and local people.” She concluded by underlining the prioritization of access to basic needs, to local economic activity and public life.
The last session of the Webinar, “Resources Available to Municipalities”, that was moderated by WALD Academy Director Hülya ALPER, was held with the participation of UNHCR Geneva Senior Livelihood and Economic Inclusion Officer Susanne KLINK, UNDP Turkiye Programme Development Coordinator Bastien REVEL, UCLG World Secretariat Policy Officer Fatima FERNANDEZ. Speakers stressed the following goals; “sharing and disseminating good practice examples within the scope of local development policies and sustainable migration management with an inclusive and holistic approach”.
