International Migrants Day is a holiday that owes its existence to the adoption of a resolution on the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families on December 18, 1990, by the General Assembly of the U.N.

The resolution and the resulting holiday address human migration all over the world. Human migration is something that has occurred since human beings came into existence. Its purpose is to recognize the contributions that immigrants bring to their new countries and to raise awareness of the importance of protecting the human rights of these immigrants.

The History of International Migrants Day

As we mentioned in our introduction, International Migrants Day began its life as a resolution on the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families on December 18, 1990, by the General Assembly of the U.N.

It was a day that was used to highlight the contributions made by the 270+ million migrants who have been displaced by disasters, are fleeing violence, or are migrating to find a better life. It was also used to highlight the challenges faced by these migrants. The day was officially made a holiday on December 4, 2000, when it was proclaimed by the U.N as International Migrants Day.

Interesting Facts About Migration

Different people have different ideas about migration, so we thought that we’d take a few moments to talk about some of the things that people might not know about migrants or immigration. Let’s explore these points below, shall we?

Migration Isn’t New

Although some people seem to think that migration ebbs and flows with each passing year, the fact of the matter is that migration is nothing new and doesn’t fluctuate very much. Between 1990 and 2000, the number of migrants all over the world only increased by about 0.4%, from 2.9% to 3.3%.

Not Every Reason for Migration Is the Same

For many migrants, migration is not a choice but a matter of life and death. The UN has estimated that in 2016, around 66 million people were forced to leave their homes due to human rights violations, persecution, and violence.

But that’s not the only reason for migration. Some people migrate because of climate change, to find better opportunities for themselves and their children, or because of starvation.

Observing International Migrants Day

International Migrants Day can be observed by taking the time to think about the challenges faced by migrants and by attempting to put yourself in their shoes. It’s also a good time to think about what your country would be like if there were no migrants. You can also trace your ancestors’ route to your country, or even take the time to ask a migrant about their experience.