Guided by the theme, “Protecting and Empowering Migrants
for Development”, the agenda of the 2nd Global Forum was based
on the findings of the First Global Forum conducted at Brussels,
Belgium in July 2007. The Brussels Forum concluded that special
emphasis should be given to the protection and empowerment of migrant
workers all over the world, placing high importance on the protection
of human rights and promotion of regular migration.
The Forum was divided in to two general meetings, namely the Civil
Society Days, scheduled from October 27 to 28 and Government Meeting
from October 29 to 30.
The event’s roundtable discussions were divided into three
topics: Migration, Development, and Human Rights, Secure, Regular
Migration can Achieve Stronger Development Impact, and Policy and
Institutional Coherence and Partnerships.
The Department
of Foreign Affairs acted as lead agency for the Philippine
Government for the 2nd GFMD. Undersecretary for Migrant Workers’
Affairs, Esteban B. Conejos Jr., served as the Special Envoy for
GFMD, and the Overall Chairman of the Philippine GFMD Preparatory
Committee.
The objective of the GFMD is to assemble government officials and
experts from all over the world to enhance dialogue, cooperation,
and partnership in the areas of migration and development. Moreover,
it is intended to mutually identify and solve international migration
issues that affect development of countries.
