Introduction Many migrants without a permit to stay (undocumented) are organizing themselves in grass roots organizations or joining migrants

organizations to empower themselves, this helps them to expand its network and secure their social security. Within this perspective Indonesian Migrant Union ( IMWU), Nedas , Wereldhuis Den Haag en Stichting LOS are organizing this event. Where we hope to give a contribution to strengthen the networks of the undocumented migrants in their capacities to give support the undocumented migrants.

Program Facilitator of the day: Jille Belisario

14.00 Welcome Introduction by Wereldhuis Den Haag by Aklil Getachew Theater intermezzo by Stichting Nedas Plenary , Question and Answer Sharing of Good practices on creating strategies for: IMWU Selforganisation AHRU Umbrella organisation of undocumented migrants(t.b.c.) PRIME Practical support to ex asylum seekers (t.b.c.) Kariboe Bibi Migrant Community Dokters van de Wereld Healthcare (t.b.c.) Break Conclusie en Presentatie Stichting LOS Strategies of undocumented migrants and their community OKIA Strengthening the Social Security of undocumented Plenaire Diner

Lets Strengthen Ourselves Lets Network

From, for and by the undocumented!
Date: Saturday, 26 november 2011 Adres: de Kempstraat 124-2, 2572 GK Den Haag Telnr.: 070-3803034 Time: 14.00 - 18:30 diner Featured by: Stichting NEDAS Theater Intermezzo

14.15 14.25 14.45 15.00

16.30 16.45

17.15 18.00

DIALOGUE CIVIL SOCIETY ORGANIZATIONS:

FINDING A FRAMEWORK IN MANAGING THE CHALLENGES OF IRREGULAR MIGRATION.

Introduction Aklil Getachew will give a short introduction on the initiatives of Wereldhuis and how the religious communitie such as STEK a giving a contribution in strengthening the social security of the undocumented.

Despite of discouraging policies by the current government, different actors on different levels have taken its governance and leadership in managing the challenges of irregular migration. This has resulted into campaigns for the rights of undocumented migrants, giving practical support such as finance, housing work and food up to self-organization of undocumented migrants themselves. In finding a framework to support the undocumented migrants it is clear that we have to take the following into account: Important starting point in finding the framework is the partnership with the undocumented persons. Realities of undocumented migrants are complex and urgent. Irregular migrants as a population group are no unified or sealed population but rather a range of individuals who, for various reasons, do not have legal residence and who, for differing and unique reasons, choose, or consider themselves forced, to stay in the Netherlands in spite of an often challenging and difficult situation. Solutions must be found within the combination of different policy framework. Today some organizations will give a presentation on how they are in partnership with undocumented migrants are making a difference:

PRESENTATIONS HUMAN RIGHTS As their status is not regulated and they are often employed in the informal economy, therefore it is difficult to monitor the situation of and to provide protection to these migrants. Hence, undocumented migrants, whether voluntary or forced, are highly vulnerable to various human rights violations and hazards: various forms of discrimination; violations of or limitations to their economic and social rights, including the right to equality of payment with national workers, the right to life and personal integrity, the right to dignity of their person; subjection to human trafficking, erasure of personal identification documents, slavery and bonded labor, arbitrary or prolonged detention, torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, as well as crimes of racism and xenophobia. As a respond to this reality undocumented migrants are organizing themselves. By organizing themselves they are developing support systems that decreases their vulnerability and instead of victims they are reclaiming their leadership their rights as stakeholders of development. As a sector they are taking a key role in giving more visibility to their own issue in the public arena.

A)

SELFORGANISATIONS

D)

LOCAL NON GOVERNEMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS

1) IMWU (Indonesian Migrant Workers Union) IMWU as a self-organization of migrant workers will give a presentation which strategies they have applied how to address the vulnerability of workers who are undocumented. 2) AHRU (Alliance on Human Rights for Undocumented) AHRU as an umbrella organisation for the selforganisations of the undocumented community. They will give a short introduction on how an umbrella organisation can strengthen the community B) MIGRANT ORGANISATIONS The current political context in the Netherlands has a very big impact on the sustainability of institutions that are giving services to the undocumented migrants. This has resulted in cuts and smaller budgets of local institution to give support. More and more undocumented migrants have to rely on their fellow country (wo)men and their organizations. This brings challenges to migrant organizations. 2) Kariboe Bibi Forthcoming of the current restrictive policy is that migrant organizations who are giving support has to be creative in finding solutions to address the complex needs of their fellow migrant. Kariboe will share their different strategies in giving support to the complex situation of the undocumented migrants.

1) Dokters van de Wereld Everyone who lives in the Netherlands must pay for health care costs. In principle, if you are unable to obtain health insurance because you lack a valid residence permit, you have to pay cash for the care you receive. Straatdokters willl give a presentation on their project on giving healthcare to the migrants living on the streets. 2) OKIA Restrictive migration policies have a very big impact on the lives of undocumented migrants. The current policy is creating precarious living conditions of the undocumented migrants. On the other hand the social security system for undocumented migrant are being cut in their budget. Marijke Bijl will give a presentation on how the local institutions together with the undocumented self organizations can make a difference for the lives of undocumented.

CAMPAIGNS AND WEBSITE Join the campaign against the criminalisation of Undocumented migrants IMMIGRATION DETENTION HOTLINE http://www.geenstrafbaarstelling.nl

http://www.meldpuntvreemdelinge ndetentie.nl/

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