International Migrants Day

International Migrants Day

18 December

On 4 December 2000, the UN General Assembly, taking into account the large and increasing number of migrants in the world, proclaimed 18 December International Migrants Day.

Migration is a global phenomenon driven by many forces. These start with aspirations for dignity, safety and peace. The decision to leave home is always extreme, and, too often, the beginning of a dangerous, sometimes fatal journey.

Through UNESCO's International Coalition of Inclusive and Sustainable Cities, we promote a welcoming approach towards migrants at the local level. We are bolstering the capacities of journalists to address negative narratives and bring the stories of migrants to the fore. UNESCO is engaged with UN partners through the Global Migration Group, to shape a global compact for safer, orderly and regular migration.

"On this day of mobilization, UNESCO calls on the entire international community and all our societies to stand up for dignity and for the respect of migrants’ rights – that is, the universal respect of human rights."

UNESCO Director-General
Audrey AzoulayDirector-General of UNESCO
Message from Ms Audrey Azoulay, Director-General of UNESCO, on the occasion of International Migrants Day, 18 December 2023
UNESCO. Director-General, 2017- (Azoulay, A.)
18 décembre 2023
0000388082

What UNESCO does

Migration and inclusive societies
International Coalition of Inclusive and Sustainable Cities − ICCAR
Fight against Racism & Discrimination
Media and Migration

Read more

Reporting on migrants and refugees: handbook for journalism educators
Fengler, Susanne
UNESCO
Lengauer, Monika
Zappe, Anna-Carina
2021
UNESCO
0000377890
Stories of MIGRATION
UNESCO
octobre-décembre 2021
UNESCO
0000379210
Global education monitoring report, 2019: Migration, displacement and education: building bridges, not walls
Global Education Monitoring Report Team
2018
UNESCO
0000265866
Cities welcoming refugees and migrants: enhancing effective urban governance in an age of migration
Taran, Patrick A.
UNESCO
Neves de Lima, Gabriela
Kadysheva, Olga
2016
0000246558
Migrating alone: unaccompanied and separated children's migration to Europe
Kanics, Jyothi
Senovilla Hernández, Daniel
Touzenis, Kristina
2010
0000190796

Resources

Resolution adopted by the General Assembly
UN website about this day
Past Edition
All international days