The Global Task Force on Migration (GTFM), secretariat of the UCLG-MEWA Committee for Social Inclusion, organized the program Local Authorities and the Protracted Refugee Crisis: Sharing Key Lessons and Recommendations, in partnership with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). The program took place on 12 December 2022 with more than 350 participants from different parts of the world.
The Municipalities facing the refugee crisis for a long time took part in the program, shared their experiences, and made important recommendations for municipalities that have just been exposed to such situations. It has provided significant scope for how local governments, at the forefront of the refugee crisis, shape their inclusion policies. In addition, essential tools and resources that municipalities can use for refugees were introduced in the program. “Effective Integration of Refugees Handbook” prepared by UNHCR in 23 languages, “Lampedusa Charter,” which is the most up-to-date initiative of local governments and accepted within the scope of UCLG Daejeon Congress in October 2022, “UCLG Migration Practices Community (CoP-Mig)” facilitated by GTFM and “GTFM Reports” were the resources introduced in the program.
UNHCR Deputy High Commissioner for Protection Gillian Triggs, Zeynel Abidin Beyazgül, Mayor of Şanlıurfa Metropolitan Municipality and UCLG-MEWA Co-President, Former Mayor of Lampedusa Totò Martello, Deputy Mayor of Baraşov Flavia Boghiu, Irbid Metropolitan Municipality Deputy Director of International Projects and Programs Unit Leila Youssef and UNDP Turkey Resident Representative Louisa Vinton took part as speakers at the event.