SA国际传媒

By Lydia O鈥橩ane

"Migrants and refugees. Contributions and present challenges鈥�.

That was the title of an event which took place at Vatican Radio on Wednesday on the eve of SA国际传媒 Refugee Day.

The meeting, which was promoted by the Embassy of Argentina to the Holy See, brought together diplomats, as well as religious communities and NGO鈥檚 working in the field of migration.

Also taking part was Archbishop Paul Gallagher, the Vatican鈥檚 Secretary for Relations with States.

One of those participating at the gathering was Director of Advocacy at Caritas Internationalis, Martina Liebsch.

She is responsible for their campaign 鈥淪hare the Journey鈥�, which puts the spotlight firmly on the issue of migration. Speaking to Vatican Radio, she said that since the campaign started it has received a positive response, especially in the U.S.

Giving an example, she spoke of an American women and a Syrian refugee.  This woman, she said, 鈥渓istened to his story and then said to me, 鈥業鈥檝e always looked at migration through statistics and I saw the figures and I was afraid. Now, I have listened to a story and I have a completely other understanding or a changed understanding and I can see what is behind it鈥欌��.

Fear and Dialogue

Asked about how fear can best be tackled when people feel threatened by migrants coming into their countries, she said, 鈥淚 think dialogue is definitely one element; I would not say it鈥檚 the only element. I think the other element is certainly that you need to give people鈥� access to their rights and their services, so that they have a dignified life.鈥�

Dr Liebsch also pointed out that another important element was to be clear about facts. For instance, she said, 鈥渟pecifically here in Europe to always be aware that there鈥檚 not a massive invasion in Europe (of migrants) but it鈥檚 in other parts of the world where people are much poorer鈥�.

Coming back to the issue of dialogue, she stressed, it would be a good idea if people focused on 鈥渨hat are we afraid of, but also鈥�what are migrants afraid of; both have fears.鈥�

SA国际传媒 Refugee Day

Speaking about the SA国际传媒 Refugee Day, which is observed on June 20^th, she noted that, 鈥渋t is a way to remind people about forgotten crises, a reminder as well of all the internally displaced people, because that鈥檚 another reality鈥︹��