ILO supports the Saphan Siang Campaign event for International Migrants Day
In observance of International Migrants Day (18 December), a youth event will be held on 17 December at Thammasat University. At the event, young Thais will debate on migrant worker issues, and the Saphan Siang Youth Ambassadors Programme will be launched.
16 December 2013
BANGKOK (ILO News) – In observance of International Migrants Day (18 December), a youth event will be held on 17 December at Thammasat University.
Young Thais will debate migrant worker issues. The Saphan Siang Youth Ambassadors Programme will also be launched. The programme provides an opportunity for university students to contribute to organisations supporting migrant workers and increase the interaction between Thais and migrant workers. The event gives an opportunity for young Thais to engage with the campaign and the broader efforts of campaign partners working towards promoting a positive image of migrant workers in Thailand.
The morning session includes a workshop for high school and university students by experts from United Nations agencies on the themes of ‘migration and development’ and ‘migrant workers and social inclusion/exclusion in Thailand’.
The afternoon session includes an introduction to the Saphan Siang campaign, and a debate by Thai university students on the motion “Thailand offers sufficient protection measures for migrant workers”. Alongside this debate, there will be an art exhibition on migrant workers, including the Saphan Siang ‘A Positive Image’ photo exhibition. Artwork and performances created during the MTV EXIT-Saphan Siang roadshow in Mae Sot will also be displayed. The Saphan Siang Youth Ambassadors programme will be introduced. Saphan Siang partners and supporters will display their work and activities on migrant workers in Thailand.
Maurizio Bussi Officer-in-Charge of the ILO’s Country Office for Thailand, Cambodia and Lao People’s Democratic Republic says: “International Migrants Day, celebrated on 18 December, is an opportunity to recognize the contribution made by millions of migrants to the economies and societies of their host and home countries. It is a good time to share experiences and to commit to undertake actions to ensure the protection of migrants’ human rights and fundamental freedoms.”
Mr Aanas Ali, Saphan Siang Youth Ambassador Programme Coordinator expresses: “I hope that this event will inspire young Thais to become engaged in migrant worker issues by becoming part of the growing Saphan Siang youth network in Thailand. Equipped with this knowledge, these students can become active agents of change in their universities and communities.”
The Saphan Siang campaign is supported by the International Labour Organization (ILO), the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia Pacific (ESCAP), the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and World Vision International. It aims to increase public awareness on the issues faced by migrant workers, their positive contribution to Thailand’s economy and society, and their right to equal protection under the law and access to support services.
The event will be held at Thammasat University, Faculty of Law, Tha Prachan Campus on 17 December, 09.30-10.00 hours.
Max Tunon
Senior Programme Officer/Project Coordinator
Tripartite Action to Protect the Rights of Migrant Workers within and from the Greater Mekong Subregion from Labour Exploitation (GMS TRIANGLE Project)
International Labour Organization, Bangkok
Tel. 02 288 2245
Email
Aanas Ali
Saphan Siang Youth Ambassadors Coordinator
Email
Or visit:
www.saphansiang.org
www.facebook.com/saphansiang
www.facebook.com/UniteThailand2012
Young Thais will debate migrant worker issues. The Saphan Siang Youth Ambassadors Programme will also be launched. The programme provides an opportunity for university students to contribute to organisations supporting migrant workers and increase the interaction between Thais and migrant workers. The event gives an opportunity for young Thais to engage with the campaign and the broader efforts of campaign partners working towards promoting a positive image of migrant workers in Thailand.
The morning session includes a workshop for high school and university students by experts from United Nations agencies on the themes of ‘migration and development’ and ‘migrant workers and social inclusion/exclusion in Thailand’.
The afternoon session includes an introduction to the Saphan Siang campaign, and a debate by Thai university students on the motion “Thailand offers sufficient protection measures for migrant workers”. Alongside this debate, there will be an art exhibition on migrant workers, including the Saphan Siang ‘A Positive Image’ photo exhibition. Artwork and performances created during the MTV EXIT-Saphan Siang roadshow in Mae Sot will also be displayed. The Saphan Siang Youth Ambassadors programme will be introduced. Saphan Siang partners and supporters will display their work and activities on migrant workers in Thailand.
Maurizio Bussi Officer-in-Charge of the ILO’s Country Office for Thailand, Cambodia and Lao People’s Democratic Republic says: “International Migrants Day, celebrated on 18 December, is an opportunity to recognize the contribution made by millions of migrants to the economies and societies of their host and home countries. It is a good time to share experiences and to commit to undertake actions to ensure the protection of migrants’ human rights and fundamental freedoms.”
Mr Aanas Ali, Saphan Siang Youth Ambassador Programme Coordinator expresses: “I hope that this event will inspire young Thais to become engaged in migrant worker issues by becoming part of the growing Saphan Siang youth network in Thailand. Equipped with this knowledge, these students can become active agents of change in their universities and communities.”
The Saphan Siang campaign is supported by the International Labour Organization (ILO), the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia Pacific (ESCAP), the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and World Vision International. It aims to increase public awareness on the issues faced by migrant workers, their positive contribution to Thailand’s economy and society, and their right to equal protection under the law and access to support services.
The event will be held at Thammasat University, Faculty of Law, Tha Prachan Campus on 17 December, 09.30-10.00 hours.
For further information please contact:
Max Tunon
Senior Programme Officer/Project Coordinator
Tripartite Action to Protect the Rights of Migrant Workers within and from the Greater Mekong Subregion from Labour Exploitation (GMS TRIANGLE Project)
International Labour Organization, Bangkok
Tel. 02 288 2245
Aanas Ali
Saphan Siang Youth Ambassadors Coordinator
Or visit:
www.saphansiang.org
www.facebook.com/saphansiang
www.facebook.com/UniteThailand2012