Beyond the 2018 Global Compact for Migration: The Future of International Migration Governance
The McGill Centre for Human Rights and Legal Pluralism, in collaboration with the Oppenheimer Chair in Public International Law, is pleased to welcome the Honourable Louise Arbour, and His Excellence Juan José Ignacio Gómez-Camacho for a conference on migration, which will be moderated by Professor François Crépeau, Oppenheimer Chair in Public International Law.
The event will be live streamed and can be viewed at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-O2vTEvwjmc
Abstract
According to the United Nations, the global number of international migrants reached 272 million in 2019. This figure will increase due to population growth, enhanced connectivity, trade, rising inequality, demographic imbalances and climate change. Migration provides immense opportunity and benefits for home and host communities. At the same time, due to poor regulation and exploitation, migration can also create significant challenges for states and individuals alike. The 2018 Global Compact for Migration is the first-ever United Nations instrument on a common approach to the governance of international migration in all its dimensions. Although non-binding, the Compact is grounded in the values of state sovereignty, responsibility sharing, non-discrimination and human rights. It recognizes that a cooperative approach is needed to optimize the overall benefits of migration, while addressing its challenges for individuals and communities in countries of origin, transit and destination.
The speakers
The Hon. Louise Arbour recently completed a mandate as the UN Special Representative of the Secretary-General on International Migration, a role in which she supported the process leading to the adoption of the 2018 Global Compact for Migration. She is also a former United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, a former Justice of the Supreme Court of Canada, and a former Chief Prosecutor of the International Criminal Tribunals for the former Yugoslavia and Rwanda.
His Excellency Juan José Gómez Camacho, Ambassador of Mexico to Canada, was the Permanent Representative of Mexico to the United Nations between 2016 and 2019, during which he co-led the process for the adoption of the 2018 Global Compact for Migration. He is also a former Ambassador to the European Union and a former Ambassador to the International Organisations in Geneva.
Professor François Crépeau is the Hans & Tamar Oppenheimer Chair in Public International Law and the Director of the McGill Center for Human Rights and Legal Pluralism. He was the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Human Rights of Migrants from 2011 to 2017.
This event is eligible for inclusion as 1.5 hours of continuing legal education as reported by members of the Barreau du Québec.
