The Second Africa-Europe Ecumenical Forum on Migration Opens in Addis Ababa
Following the first Forum which took place in March 2023 in Hamburg, Germany, the second forum organized by the AACC and Churches Commission for Migrants in Europe (CCME) opened today 18th March 2025 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia to run for four days. It has brought together key stakeholders from Africa and Europe to address critical issues related to migration governance with a special focus on externalization of asylum & migration, significance and fairness of bi-lateral migration agreements, and the role of the African Union (AU) in shaping migration policies and practices. The forum was opened by the AACC General Secretary, Rev. Dr. Fidon Mwombeki. In his welcome remarks, he stressed the need for churches in Africa and Europe to pay close attention to the heightening toxicity towards migrants at a time when the need for migrants is also increasing.
“We are so delighted to be here in Addis Ababa for this meeting seeking to ensure that the world responds to migration in ways putting human safety and dignity above boarder security.” Noted Fiona Kendal, member of the CCME Executive Committee in her opening remarks.
While welcoming the forum to Addis Ababa on behalf of the Ethiopian government’s ministry of foreign affairs, Mr. Daniel Samuel expressed the state’s confidence in the church as a key player in addressing challenges in human migration. To spark off the deliberations, the CCME executive secretary, Ms. Ana Puljiz made a presentation on the externalization of migration in Europe, its consequences and the European Churches perspectives on external migration control. She highlighted the strong growth of anti-migration sentiments and also exposed the gaps in the various bilateral agreements that breed human rights violations.
In the next three days, participants will explore ways of transforming Bilateral agreements into fair tools for labor mobility, understand the relationship between Climate Change and displacement, engage on the role of the African union as an actor in regional and international migration governance, and define the next course of action for the churches in Africa and Europe to address the migration related challenges at hand.
In the photo: Rev David Kafui from the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church, Ghana, leading the participants in the morning prayer. [Credit - Hana Lale Sirabela]
