Education Versus Lost Generation!

With the United Nations General Assembly proclaiming 18 December as International Migrants Day in year 2000, it was aimed for migrant rights to be known worldwide and for awareness to be raised on the problems experienced by migrants.

Due to conflicts, economic problems and political reasons in many regions of the world, millions of individuals all over the world have started seeking migration routes, leaving behind their families, homes, lives in pursuit of better conditions.

Presently, the number of persons living in a country other than their country of birth is greater than ever before. The number of migrants in the world has reached 272 million in 2019. The global population of forcibly displaced persons have nearly exceeded 70 million at the end of 2018. Approximately 26 million of this population consists of refugees, while 3.5 million consists of asylum seekers. Today, one out of every 33 persons in the world comes from a migrant background.

Unfortunately, negative opinions and statements concerning migrants is rising due to increasing intolerant statements about them throughout the world. However, the positive contributions of migrants on the community and country to which they migrate; in other words, the strong connection between migration and development should never be ignored and steps should be taken to further strengthen this connection.

In such a period, Turkey has set an example for the world with its works conducted in this regard and has always welcomed migrants and has never left those in need to deal with such a difficult situation on their own. It has fulfilled the responsibility of being aware that remaining indifferent to one of the most significant problems globally experienced by humanity means contributing to violations of human rights increasing and living conditions in poor countries worsening.

Based on our 25 years of experience as ASAM on migration and refugees, with the understanding that migration does not only mean arriving at someplace and should be addressed as a process, we focus on raising awareness on the challenges encountered by migrants and asylum seekers during migration and on providing assistance by coming up with solutions for the problems experienced.

Calling upon creating a world where human rights and human dignity are protected, we wish you a happy International Migrants Day.