Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Brasilia (Agenzia Fides) – The 6th National Meeting of Protection Networks promoted by the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) and the Institute for Migration and Human Rights (IMDH) is being held in Brasilia (DF) 13 to 15 July. Participants include representatives of civil society institutions involved in assistance of migrants and refugees in Brazil, such as the National Committee for Refugees (CONARE). The theme of the meeting is “ Concern for the most vulnerable of refugees and migrants: women, children and the elderly ”.
According to a statement sent to Fides by the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Brazil (CNBB), among those present for the opening ceremony, UNHCR representative in Brazil Andres Ramirez,, and the president of the National Council for Immigration Paulo Sérgio Almeida. The speakers focussed on the difficulties encountered in the integration of refugees in Brazil and with national immigration policies. Andres Ramirez said protection policies must be inclusive: “Sad to say very often protection agents neglect or overlook the most vulnerable persons, women, children and the elderly. We must take decisive steps to guarantee these people freedom to voice their needs and main difficulties”.
For Sister Rosita Milesi, head of CNBB Commission for Pastoral Care for Human Mobility and directress of the Institute for Migration and Human Rights, this meeting of organisations from different regions of Brazil will offer an opportunity to share experience of assisting refugees and migrants and help improve the activity of protection networks. “Brazil welcomes refugees and is ready to offer them a new country, a new home. Our civil society institutions which form a network of protection and integration across the country, are aware of the necessity to guarantee better formation for workers and collaborators in this humanitarian activity ” said Sister Rosita. (CE) (Agenzia Fides, 14/07/2010)
