International Migrants Day

International Migrants Day is a hot topic in the modern world. It is easy to understand why: man has always tried to organize a better life for himself, and that takes courage and will – not everyone dares to leave their home and take risks, and those that do should be congratulated on this special day.

History

Civilizations have always migrated from one area to another in search of fertile land and rich flora and fauna from ancient times. Migration was a great way for cultures to develop and learn from each other, and people travelled across the world to make this possible – from the Silk Road to the discoveries of the 15th-17th centuries, which saw people from Portugal, France, Ireland, and England travel to America. The African population also took part in the movement. By the time the 16th century arrived, there were an estimated 50 million settlers from Europe.

International Migrants Day was declared official by the UN Main Assembly in 1997, and the New York Declaration was introduced in 2016 to help secure safe migration.

Interesting facts

• Researchers believe that the first migrants were tribes following to Eurasia from Africa.
• Genetic analysis can track ancestral migrations.
• In 2016, there were 5 million migrants from Syria scattered around the world.
• The US State Department offers a “Green Card” – a document that allows people to live and work in the United States – to anyone in the world through a lottery system.
• In Israel, more than half of the population are not indigenous – they are migrants or their descendants.

How to take part

Learn more about the history of migration at International Migrants Day. Read stories of both happy and sad endings – it is these stories that bring to light the issues faced by migrants. Celebrate the day with your friends and have fun!

When is International Migrants Day celebrated in 2023?

International Migrants Day is observed on December 18 each year.

Observations