With Radio 1812, December 18 provides a platform for celebrating International Migrants Day. This unique and innovative international radio event connects migrant communities worldwide and brings together radios from around the globe in a one-day event that celebrates migrants’ achievements and highlights their concerns.
December 18 will continue to gradually expand its role as initiator and coordinator by adding new features such as the production of its own audio; expanding the event into a year-round initiative; provide opportunities for young journalists to gain experience. December 18 will also develop the Radio 1812 site into a key space for sharing audio material and will establish a prize for the best audio documentary on migration issues.
In 2009, 175 radio stations from 48 countries took part in the fourth edition of the Radio 1812 event. You can listen to a short compilation by clicking here.
Interested in participating? Write to radio1812@december18.net and we will get in touch with you.
The Universal Periodic Review (UPR), created by the Human Rights Council (HRC) is the most recent mechanism in the UN human rights system. The first UPR cycle began in 2008 and will be completed in 2011. By the end of 2009, half the UN member states will have been reviewed. December 18 is working on a research paper documenting and analyzing the scope and treatment of the issue of migrants and human rights in the UPR.
December 18 is an active member of the International Steering Committee of the Campaign for the Ratification of the Migrant Workers Convention.
In Europe, none of the EU Member States has ratified the Convention. Building on our work with the European Platform for Migrant Workers Rights (EPMWR), we are preparing the launch of a new European campaign with the aim to get ratification before the next European Parliament elections.
In Belgium, we are working together with the “Commission belge francophone et germanophone pour l'UNESCO” to put the need for ratification back on the political agenda.
December 18 sits on the Executive Committee of the International Platform on the Migrant Workers Convention (IPMWC), a civil-society network that encourages the effective implementation of the Convention.
December 18 will be a delegate at the Civil Society Days of the third Global Forum on Migration and Development in Athens (2-3 November).
A team of journalists from December 18 will attend the GFMD and the related parallel events and prepare reports that will be made available through the Radio 1812 website.