GFMD ad hoc Working Group on Public Narratives on Migration

GFMD ad hoc Working Group on Public Narratives on Migration

Public perceptions of migration have become highly polarized and influenced by misinformation globally. The spread of inaccurate narratives can negatively impact both migrants and host communities. Governments, local authorities, civil society and businesses have an opportunity to combat mis and disinformation by promoting balanced and evidence-based public narratives on migration. Public discourse can significantly affect social cohesion, support for diversity, economic growth and innovation.

The GFMD Ad Hoc Working Group on Public Narratives on Migration was established in February 2020 to create a strong partnership among GFMD stakeholders in pursuing this common goal. Upon proposal of the Government of Canada, the GFMD Steering Group unanimously endorsed the Working Group's creation.

Recognizing the crucial role of cities and local communities in shaping accurate migration narratives and in fostering social inclusion and migrant integration, the Steering Group also approved, for the first time, the inclusion of the Mayors Mechanism as a Co-Chair of a GFMD Working Group alongside governments. The practice of inviting a GFMD mechanism to co-chair along with governments was then extended to other GFMD working groups, including the Working Group on Sustainable Development and International Migration; and the Ad Hoc Working Group on the Impact of Covid 19 on migrants and migration. 

The mandate of this Working Group revolves around three objectives:

  1. enhance the capacity of WG members and the broader GFMD community on the topic of migration narratives; 
  2. foster the creation of partnerships and joint activities that can contribute to shifting the narrative on migration; 
  3. provide recommendations on the topic of migration narratives for the GFMD’s contribution to the implementation, review and follow up of the 2030 Agenda and the GCM.
     

Membership

  • Co-Chairs:  Canada, Ecuador and GFMD Mayors Mechanism
  • Member States:  Algeria, Bangladesh, Canada, Ecuador, Ireland, Mexico, Morocco, The Gambia
  • Members representing the local perspective:  City of Johannesburg, City of Mechelen, City of Montreal, City of Sao Paulo, Welcoming International, the GFMD Mayors Mechanism
  • Members representing civil society: Oxfam, UNMGCY, ICMC/Coordinator of Civil Society Coordinating Office
  • Members representing the private sector: Talent Beyond Boundaries, ERC Worldwide, IOE/Coordinator of the GFMD Business Mechanism
  • International Organizations:  IOM, ICMPD, OHCHR and the European Union (DG Home)

Links

Contact 
The Working Group is currently Co-Chaired by Canada, Ecuador and the GFMD Mayors Mechanism. The Co-Chairs can be contacted at: wg_narratives@gfmd.org.