2nd Africa – Europe Ecumenical Forum on Migration Communique Calls for the Prioritization of Human Safety and Dignity in Migration Governance
The Second Africa – Europe Ecumenical Forum on Migration convened by the All Africa Churches (AACC) and the Churches’ Commission for Migrants in Europe (CCME) in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia was officially closed on 20th March 2025. During the closing ceremony, the forum issued a communique affirming the participants shared commitment to human rights, dignity, and sustainable development in both Africa and Europe.
“We respond to our Christian call to seek justice, correct oppression, and show mercy and compassion to one another.” Reads the communique, stressing the churches’ determination in opposing the criminalization and weaponization of migration and in resisting migration management policies that disregard human dignity and safety. It commends the work of the Churches in Africa and Europe responding to the plight of migrants and the efforts of the African Union in migration governance.
The forum also took note of the increasing normalization and legitimization of the externalization of border control in Europe and the complicity of some African countries in the process as some of the pressing issues in migration management that must be addressed. On addition to committing to do everything possible to positively transform migration governance, AACC and CCME also called upon other stakeholders to respond to the identified challenges. Among the interventions proposed in the communique include multiplying efforts addressing root causes of irregular migration and investing in the protection and expansion of legal migration channels.
Click here to read the download the communique
In the photo: Forum participants during a learning and knowledge and experience sharing session at the African Union Headquarters in Addis Ababa on 20th March 2025. [Credit - Muyunga Brian]
