Migration, Immigration And Integration
National Museum of Ireland, Dublin
November 17-18, 2005
On November 17-18, 2005, Parliamentarians for Global Action (PGA) held its 27th Annual Forum on the theme of Migration, Immigration and Integration at the National Museum of Ireland in Dublin which was hosted by the PGA National Group in Ireland, chaired by Mr. M.J. Nolan, TD (Ireland). Approximately 85 Parliamentarians from over 40 different countries participated in the 2005 Annual Forum together with representatives from several international organizations, embassies, academia and civil society.
The Forum was formally opened by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ireland, Mr. Dermot Ahearn, TD. The Speaker of the Irish Parliament, Dr. Rory O'Hanlon, also presided and spoke at the opening session. PGA President, Mr. Kenneth Dzirasah, MP (Ghana) in addition offered welcoming remarks.
The Parliamentary participants successfully identified different means of stemming the flow of human capital from countries that can least afford it, while recognizing at the same time that such migrations may improve economic growth. As intended, through the vehicle of the Declaration of Action adopted at the Forum, participants elaborated specific and concrete policy formulations aimed at improving the integration of new migrants into culturally distinct communities and societies and enhancing adherence to relevant international conventions. More generally, the Declaration of Action of the Forum drew together the main points of agreement reached at the Forum, setting out, in precise terms, short and longer-term objectives and goals for PGA Members to pursue in this arena at national and regional levels in follow-up to the Dublin Forum.
In parallel to the Forum, PGA presented the 10th Annual Defender of Democracy Award to Mrs. Mary Robinson, President of Realizing Rights: The Ethical Globalization Initiative, former President of Ireland and former United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights. Mrs. Robinson was honored for her longstanding and continued work in promoting human rights, an essential foundation to democracy.
With the kind support of:
- Department of Foreign Affairs of Ireland
- The Irish Parliamentary Association
- The Royal Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Danida)
- The Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida)
- and the Parliaments of Belgium, Brazil, Dominican Republic, Estonia, Ghana, Italy, Japan, Kenya, Mexico, Nigeria, Paraguay, Senegal and Sierra Leone
