Just two months before the World Social Forum on Migration, scheduled for Johannesburg from 5-8 of December 2014, the European Union (EU) seems to have left no loopholes for migrants to access its territory.

Early in October 2014, the EU announced the ‘mos maiorum’ operation, with the twinned objective of stopping illegal immigrants from entering its territory but also mapping channels of clandestine immigration to insure necessary measures are put into place to control these areas. An 18000-strong police force was deployed to train stations, borders, shores and other points of entry to insure that no ‘illegal migrant’ enters. Several migrants have been arrested and are currently awaiting deportation. The underlying question remains: are these effective interventions?

Join the debate and be part of first ever World Social Forum on Migration in Africa bringing together 3000 migration experts, policy makers, academics and social movements meeting this December in Johannesburg to address the current migration systems and propose alternative models. The Forum details are as follows:

Where: University of Johannesburg, Soweto Campus

When: 5-8 December 2014

Theme: Migration in the heart of our Humanity: Defending our freedom and Rethinking Mobility, Development and Globalization

About the WSFM 2014

Created in Brazil in 2005, The World Social Forum on Migration (WSFM) is one of the thematic areas of the World Social Forum (WSF) which aims to provide space for independent, democratic debates and create alternative models to existing policies, agendas and actions on migration and mobility related issues.

Since its creation in Brazil in 2005, the WSFM has been held in Asia, South and Latin-America (2005: Brazil, 2006 and 2008: Spain, 2010: Ecuador, 2012: Philippines). The 6th edition will take place in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Starting on December 5, the approximately 4000 delegates from across the world will be invited to join the rest of South Africa to commemorate the first anniversary of the death of world icon Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela in a march. This will be followed by plenaries, workshops and seminars for the rest of the three days. The event will end with recommendations/resolutions that will be presented to governments across the world for consideration.

For more information on the World Social Forum on Migrations, please check the website www.wsfm2014.com like our Facebook page World Social Forum on Migrations, Follow us on Twitter WSFM2014 or contact the WSFM Office :+27 (0)114871430/ + 27 (0) 11 487 0269 / +27 (0) 835147367 or via email at info@wsfm2014.com

For media queries, media accreditation, interview requests, access to high res pics etc please contact JT Comms on media@jtcomms.co.za or (011) 788 7631/2

Issued by JT Communication Solutions on Behalf of World Social Forum on Migrations (WSFM2014)