WSCF Migration Statement and Solidarity Plan We, the participants of the WSCF Inter-Regional Programme “Migration, Movements and Justice” recognise that migration is an age-old global phenomenon. We recognise that migration is a complex issue and that the reasons motivating migration vary in different contexts. We note that migration has various forms, some positive and some negative.

We believe

That every person is created in the image of God and that every person deserves to be treated with dignity and respect no matter their immigration status
That each person has a right to move in safety and with their dignity respected
That the voice of migrants should be heard in all deliberations on migration
That migration can have a dehumanising effect on the most vulnerable people (Dehumanising conditions faced by migrants may include but are not limited to: refusals at borders, being treated as security threats, being used for political purposes, suffering human rights violations, being treated purely as resources or burdens, and being subject to the illegal markets of migration.)
That some states are encouraging the creation of xenophobic policies
That hospitality and care of the stranger are inherent in the Abrahamic traditions and that some of the central stories of these religions are stories of migration
That Christ teaches us to make ourselves vulnerable, to be open to the people around us and to God, and that a central part of this openness and vulnerability is demonstrated in welcoming those people who are ‘strangers’ to us, including migrants

We recognise

That in looking at migration we have to critique the global economic system, international financial institutions and unjust economic structures as the major causes and to look for just alternatives
That the consequences of migration are shared by the migrants and their families, and the sending and receiving countries
That migration takes place within the context of patriarchy and therefore women and unaccompanied children migrants are especially vulnerable to exploitation, sexual violence and abuse
That any assault against a migrant is a crime against humanity

We denounce

The misuse and abuse of Christianity (or any other religious or national identity) to promote or support in any way xenophobia and systemic racism
The commodification of labour and people
Those who profit from the misery of migrants
Systems that kill the bodies, souls, hopes, skills and communities of millions of migrants.
The criminalisation of migration

We affirm

The efforts of all those working for migration justice
The work of migrant groups who fight for their own rights, and we stand in solidarity with them

We call for

Civil society and governments to do critical analysis of the concept of migration, development, and co-development
Countries in the south to increase and integrate south-south co-operation on migration, promoting solidarity between countries on the periphery of the global economic systems
Countries in the south and north to increase north-south co-operation on migration
Countries in the north and the wealthy to give up some privileges in order to stop exploitation of the poor including migrants
UN and related agencies to strengthen international action and solidarity for the protection of migrants, and especially of migrant women and unaccompanied children.
All peoples and countries to recognise the in-alienable human rights of migrants

Action plan

We propose the following actions on migration to the World Student Christian Federation globally and regionally and to the national Student Christian Movements.

We encourage National/Local Movements to:

Study the issue of migration from economic, political, contextual, gender, Biblical, theological and ethical perspectives
Organise events to promote awareness of migration for people within the SCMS and in the larger community
Work in solidarity with communities of migrants on the local and national level and build relationships with communities of migrants
Take action on the causes of unjust migration, mobilising local branches to recognise and respond to migration in their local contexts
Build alliances with churches and other local groups that work for global justice and equality in order to effect change in migration injustice

We encourage WSCF Regions to:

Reflect on unjust migration in the particular context of the region
Select an aspect of migration which particularly affects the region and work extensively around that issue in order to build awareness, seek solidarity and promote action
Compile and share experiences of migrants and their realities in order to educate in the region
Empower students in pastoral involvement with migrants
Support local and national movements in their efforts to promote awareness, create programmes and organise action against the inhumane treatment of migrants
Initiate contextual Biblical and theological reflection on migration
Co-operate with ecumenical, church and other networks engaged in issues of migration

We encourage the global WSCF to:

Provide resources for theological and Biblical studies on migration for all levels of the Federation
Share information within WSCF about regional and national efforts on migration
Contribute the student perspective to broader ecumenical efforts on migration
Co-operate with ecumenical, church and other networks engaged in issues of migration
Strengthen the Federation’s role with the United Nations and its agencies to raise awareness and take action on decisions that reinforce respect of the human rights of migrants
Open channels for the regions and the national movements to engage with the United Nations and its agencies
Advocate with and work alongside those striving for an international agreement on migration enshrining the rights of migrants.

We encourage all levels of the Federation to:

Grow in our critical understanding of development in relation to migration
Protest the discriminatory nature of migration policies
Advocate for the rights of migrants from an ethical perspective

Migration Programme Participants

Torbjørn Askevold, Norway
Monica Bazi, Lebanon
Maria Cachacas Ramos, Bolivia
Adèle Djomo Ngomedje, Cameroon
Dan Gonzalez Ortega, Mexico
Patrick Fennig, USA
Luis Flores, Guatemala
Andrew Karam, Egypt
Sonja Kosunen, Finland
Dohun Lee, Korea
Marcelo Leites, Uruguay
José Lopez Vasquez, Mexico
Juan Luis Loza Leon, Mexico
Cecilia Medina, Ecuador
Gilbert Mulimbi, Democratic Republic of Congo
Nina Nayoan, Indonesia
Leni Valeriano, Philippines
Michael Wallace, Aotearoa New Zealand
Erica Young, Canada

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