Radio 18-12 launch press release 09/11/2006

Radio 18/12 launches Tune in on International Migrant’s Day!

Brussels 9/11/2006

Migration is a worldwide phenomenon. In 2005, 200 million people lived abroad. And this is not new: Europe, America, and Australia were built on the influx of millions of people. For the past six years, the international community has recognized the rights of migrants worldwide and has celebrated their achievements on 18th of December, International Migrant’s Day.

Last year, migrants’ rights organizations, church groups, unions and local authorities organized activities in 30 countries, ranging from an IMD-rally in Bangladesh to a film festival in Israel. Making migrants’ voices heard is the common thread throughout these activities. And this is precisely what will be at the heart of Radio 18-12.

This year, supported by UNESCO, Inter-Pares, Oxfam Novib and the Flemish Minister of Culture, Youth, Sports and Brussels, Radio18-12 will organise a global radio marathon on 18th December 2006, where local radio stations in at least twenty countries will broadcast programmes on migration, starting in Australia and terminating in the Americas.

René Plaetevoet, Director of December 18, the international advocacy and resource centre on the human rights of migrant workers behind the Radio18-12 initiative, says: “Radio18-12 is a new and exciting initiative which aims to put the voices of the often-voiceless at the centre of the debate around migration, to highlight the far too often abusive and exploitative working conditions they find themselves in, and to celebrate migrant’s achievements and contributions to our societies.”

Most of the programmes broadcasted on the day will also be available on line.

For more information, you can check the radio18-12 website at: www.radio18-12.net, register to the Radio18-12 mailing list: http://lists.december18.net/mailman/listinfo/radio18-12 , or contact:

Media and radio stations wishing to take part: Myriam Horngren at myriam.horngren@december18.net, Phone: 44 (0) 208 15 8160 / Mobile: 44 (0) 7962 062698

Migrant groups and organisations wishing to promote their activities on International Migrant’s Day: Marie D’Auchamp at marie@december18.net , Phone: +41.22.919.10.22

Notes for editors: DECEMBER 18 is an online organization named after the International Day of Solidarity with Migrants, initiated in 1997 by Asian migrant organizations. It was on December 18, 1990 that the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families was approved by the UN General Assembly. On December 4th, 2000, the United Nations proclaimed 18th December as International Migrant's Day. The mission of December 18 is to promote and protect the rights of migrants with dignity and respect as basic values.

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