On April 18, the Permanent Observer Mission of the Holy See to the UN gave two interventions during the International Dialogue on Migration taking place at the Headquarters of the United Nations in New York.

In the first intervention, given during the panel discussion dedicated to “Implementing the SDGs and Other Major Frameworks: How the Global Compact on Migration can help meet our commitments,” the Holy See emphasized that the Sustainable Development Goals will be realized only if they are implemented fairly and effectively for all, including for migrants. The implementation of orderly, safe, regular and responsible migration requires addressing the drivers of forced migration, including environmental degradation, social and economic exclusion and the neglect of our neighbors’ most basic needs to education, work, housing, health care, peace and security. With regard to child migrants, the Holy See said that the international community must eliminate the conflict and violence that force people to send their children into flight and to protect them along their journey and at their destination.

In the second statement, given during the panel discussion on “Reaching a whole government approach to Migration: national and local perspectives,” the Holy See said that a comprehensive response to migration requires the integration of all government departments and ministries as well as the larger political community, civil society, international organizations and religious institutions. Respecting, protecting and promoting the rights of migrants is a moral imperative. Pope Francis, it added, has spoken of a “duty of civility,” which calls all, including migrants, to civic virtues and to respect the laws and traditions of the countries in which they are received.

The first statement can be found here. The second statement can be found here.