Civil society has been engaged since the first GFMD through the original Civil Society Days (CSD) of the GFMD, Since 2020, civil society and the other stakeholder mechanisms now participate fully in the entire GFMD Summit and process alongside all governments and other stakeholders, including in all preparatory meetings, thematic workshops, roundtables and other GFMD events.
The Civil Society Mechanism (CSM) serves as the institutionalised structure that coordinates all civil society engagement in the GFMD. It is guided by an International Steering Committee (ISC) and coordinated by a secretariat (formerly referred to as the Civil Society Coordinating Office) housed by the International Catholic Migration Commission (ICMC). The CSM coordinates civil society engagement by (co)organizing preparatory meetings, regional and thematic consultations, briefings and webinars, and other activities for civil society around the world, to feed into each GFMD activity. In addition, the CSM coordinates civil society participation in each GFMD activity, by drawing from key leaders and representatives nominated from a range of civil society processes and activities that feed into the GFMD.
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About ICMC
Upon the request by civil society partners and the invitation of four consecutive GFMD government Chairs, a GFMD Civil Society Coordinating Office was established under the auspices of the International Catholic Migration Commission (ICMC), to coordinate civil society’s activities for the GFMD together with a representative Steering Committee of civil society leaders and networks active in migration and development worldwide.
ICMC serves and protects uprooted people; refugees, victims of human trafficking, internally displaced persons, and migrants, regardless of faith, race, ethnicity or nationality. We advocate for rights-based policies and durable solutions through a worldwide network of member organizations.
For an overview of civil society engagement in the GFMD:
Civil society action in the GFMD and forward
