30 June 2014 - In this month‘s newsletter we shine the light on migrants. In spite of their increasing presence, migrants and their contributions to home and host societies remain largely unknown and misrepresented.
From the French football star Karim Benzema, who doesn´t sing the national anthem at the World Cup in Brazil, to Moussa Diouf whose pearl hen was the biggest obstacle when he crossed the Mediterranean from Senegal to Spain, we have taken a closer look at some of the aspects of migration.
We find out the importance of remittances, which in 2013 amounted to three times the global official development aid (ODA), and how money is sometimes sent through a trust based system called “Hawala“, avoiding the fees of the wire transfer firms which sometimes amount to up to 12%.
The Brussels based United Nations Regional Information Centre for Western Europe - UNRIC provides information on UN activities to the countries of the region. It also provides liaison with institutions of the European Union in the field of information. Its outreach activities extend to all segments of society and joint campaigns, projects and events are organized with partners including the EU, governments, the media, NGOs, schools and local authorities.
United Nations Regional Information Centre for Western Europe (UNRIC Brussels)
Residence Palace, Rue de la Loi/Wetstraat 155, Block C2,7th and 8th floor, Brussels 1040, Belgium
Tel.: +32 2 788 8484 / Fax: 32 2 788 8485