[CMA] Radio 18/12 launches - Tune in on International Migrant's Day!

[Bill Best]

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

Brussels 9TH November 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 programs broadcasted on the day will also be available on line.

For more information, you can check the radio18-12 website at:
http://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 at 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 at 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.