A new and promising collaboration is taking shape between the Scalabrinian Foundation network and VIVAT International, with a shared commitment to ensuring that the voices of migrants and refugees are heard more clearly at the upcoming 2026 International Migration Review Forum (IMRF) in New York.
During the recent VIVAT Global Call, I shared how this partnership is helping connect local and regional migration realities with global advocacy at the United Nations, strengthening our collective mission to defend human dignity and human rights.
The IMRF: A Key Moment for the Global Compact on Migration
The International Migration Review Forum (IMRF) is the principal United Nations platform where Member States and stakeholders assess progress in implementing the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration (GCM).
For the Scalabrinian family, whose charism is centered on service to migrants and refugees, the IMRF is an essential opportunity to:
- make visible the daily realities of migrants, refugees, and displaced persons;
- demonstrate how faith-based organizations accompany and defend them;
- advocate for policies rooted in human rights, human dignity, and integral human development.
The second IMRF will take place in New York from 5–8 May 2026, preceded by a multi-stakeholder hearing on 4 May. This gathering offers an important space for faith-based organizations to bring grassroots experiences into global policy discussions.
A New Partnership Between the Scalabrinian Network and VIVAT International
This year, thanks to the support of VIVAT International, we are able to bring to New York the testimonies and concerns of our communities—especially from migration corridors in the Americas, including Honduras and other key regions.
This collaboration allows us to:
- share the Scalabrinian network’s experience in pastoral care, social support, and advocacy for migrants across continents;
- strengthen connections between the Scalabrinian network and the wider VIVAT network;
- coordinate our participation in UN spaces more effectively;
- build a stronger foundation for future joint initiatives beyond the IMRF itself.
Although our meetings have only recently begun, the partnership is already proving meaningful. We see this not as a one-time project, but as the beginning of a long-term relationship grounded in shared mission and mutual support.
Two Side Events for the IMRF
As part of the IMRF, we are preparing two important side events that highlight faith-based responses to migration.
1. Faith-Based Organizations on the Frontlines
Leveraging VIVAT International’s technical support and advocacy experience, we are organizing a side event highlighting the unique contributions of faith-based organizations to advancing the goals of the Global Compact on Migration.
The event will highlight:
- pastoral accompaniment of migrants and refugees;
- legal protection and advocacy support;
- social inclusion and community-building initiatives;
- the way spiritual commitment translates into practical, rights-based action.
This event aims to send a clear message: faith-based organizations are not only service providers but also essential advocates and bridge-builders in implementing the GCM.
2. Latin American and Caribbean Perspectives
A second side event is being organized in collaboration with Red de Clamor and the Bloque Latinoamericano.
This gathering will focus on migration realities in Latin America and the Caribbean, bringing forward grassroots perspectives from shelters, border communities, and migrant support networks.
Special attention will be given to:
- the structural causes of migration, including poverty, violence, and environmental degradation;
- the need for regional cooperation and shared responsibility;
- practical responses emerging from local communities and pastoral networks.
The Scalabrinian Foundation brings to this space its long-standing presence in migrant corridors and its commitment to listening to and accompanying people on the move.
Building a “Network of Networks”
Beyond the IMRF, this collaboration reflects a broader vision: building a true “network of networks” among faith-based organizations engaged in migration.
This means creating stronger pathways for:
- sharing information, analysis, and advocacy tools;
- ensuring local experiences shape global conversations;
- using international platforms such as the UN to amplify the voices of migrants and refugees.
We hope this growing partnership between the Scalabrinian network and VIVAT International will make it easier for local communities and congregations to access UN spaces, encourage more joint statements and side events, and strengthen a common faith-based voice in defense of migrants and their families.
Looking Toward New York—and Beyond
As we prepare for the IMRF in New York, our purpose is clear: to bring with us the stories, struggles, and hopes of migrants and refugees from across our communities.
We want to stand together with VIVAT International and other partners to show that the Church is present both in the field and in the halls of the United Nations.
Most importantly, we want to ensure that the Global Compact on Migration remains more than a policy document—it must be a living commitment to the dignity, protection, and rights of all people on the move.
We are deeply grateful to VIVAT International for its openness, partnership, and concrete support, and we look forward to deepening this collaboration in the service of migrants, refugees, and displaced persons around the world.
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