Sisters from all over the world dialogue in Rome on the planetary phenomenon of migration

ROME – It was held in Rome on Sister-led dialogue on migrationthe dialogue on migration promoted by the initiative UISG Sisters Advocating Globally (International Union of Superiors General) in collaboration with the Global Solidarity Fund, which saw sisters from all over the world interact with intergovernmental and interreligious institutions, civil society organizations, academic experts and media representatives. A day of ideas and discussions on the global theme of migration, one of the most urgent issues of our time, to network and promote inclusive and sustainable solutions.

Important appointments. The international network of nuns aims to find together answers to the urgent and complex challenges of our age. These are the words of Sister Patricia Murray, executive secretary of the UISG. “Our Sister-led Dialogues – he said – they allow us to bring different and transversal experiences and skills to the same table, to support vulnerable communities in facing the challenges of development, and those linked to migratory phenomena. These are very important appointments because, through the comparison of different experiences and the rich exchange of reflections, they allow us to get to know needs, requests and experiences from all over the world, so as to shape conversations on international development around the needs of local communities”.

A precious meeting. The Sister-led dialogue on migration it brought together women religious from all over the world, representatives of United Nations organizations and the Third Sector, academic experts and communicators at the UISG headquarters. The meeting was a precious moment of discussion and started from three key themes: the analysis of the root causes of migration in a global economy, the role of humanitarian assistance and human rights and, lastly, that of integral human development and social cohesion in the host countries.

The project “Welcome woman”. The day ended with a visit to the reception project Chaire Gynai (from the Greek, “Welcome, woman”), born from a request from Pope Francis and embraced by the Scalabrinian Foundation from the Congregation of the Missionary Sisters of San Carlo Borromeo, aimed at refugee women with children and migrant women who find themselves in a vulnerable situation. The project is coordinated by Sister Janete Ferreira, member of the Board of Directors of the Scalabrinian Foundation and one of the sisters engaged at the discussion table of the Sister-led dialogue on migration.

Everywhere the increase of migrations. In the last decade there has been an increase in migrations in all areas of the world, caused by socio-economic, political and climatic imbalances which inevitably lead people to seek better living conditions elsewhere. In 2020, there were approximately 281 million migrants in the world, which means that 3.6% of the global population lived outside their country of birth. According to theUNHCRthe number of people fleeing war, violence, persecution and human rights violations rose to a record 110 million at the end of last year, an unprecedented 19 million increase from a year earlier.

An organism born 58 years ago. LInternational Union of Superiors General is an organization that represents over 600,000 nuns worldwide. Founded in 1965, inspired by the Second Vatican Council, its goal is to promote deeper collaboration between Catholic women’s congregations. Currently, the UISG is made up of 1,903 Superiors General from all continents. In addition to its core mission of training, supporting and connecting, UISG acts as an umbrella organization for sisters engaged in the fight against some of the most pressing development challenges of our time.