Over the period of two days, dignitaries of the Catholic Church and experts in the field of migration discussed a number of challenges the region is facing in this field: from the labour migration to the human trafficking; from the well being of the migrants and their families to the problematic of migration and development.

The participants also explored convergences, common orientations and possible response mechanisms within the region. The Consultation was considered as a first step in this direction and also an excellent opportunity for ICMC to strengthen its memberships network in Asia.

Common advocacy as a necessity
For the representatives of the Catholic Church in Asia, there is an urgent need for a united Asian advocacy involving local Churches, aimed to raise awareness of the various aspects of migration. Advocacy is a necessity, as the voice of the Church can help to promote changes in the various legislations regarding the foreign workers, encourage more solidarity and indicate a better way for the well being of migrants than a purely consumerist society. A stronger network is also requested to help parishes to be aware of migrants' realities and work towards efficiency in this field.

The Consultation was chaired by Bishop Precioso Cantillas, Chairman of the Philippines Commission for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant People and Bishop of Maasin. Interviewed after the closing ceremony, Bishop Cantillas said the consultation was an opportunity to see how the Church responded to common problems. "We need to work together and improve advocacy for issues on the migrants' legal protection, difficulties faced by families, matters about human dignity," he said.

He added there is a need for concerted efforts to protect migrants and raise the people's awareness, "locally and internationally." For him, the Consultation has fostered better working relationships between the various Asian Episcopal conferences and ICMC.

Created in 1951 by the Vatican, ICMC is an international operating organisation serving and protecting uprooted people - refugees, internally displaced persons and migrants - regardless of faith, race, ethnicity or nationality. It advocates for rights-based policies and durable solutions directly and through a worldwide network of member organisations.

ICMC's members are the Catholic Bishops Conferences and Episcopal assemblies of similar status worldwide, particularly of those countries concerned with migration and refugee issues. ICMC Headquarters is located in Geneva. The organisation has liaison offices in Brussels and Washington, as well as operations offices in Kosovo, Turkey, Jordan, Lebanon, Pakistan and Indonesia.

42 representatives of 20 countries            Opening Ceremony            Two days of intensive work

• Extract of the Opening Statement of M. Johan Ketelers, ICMC Secretary General

• Message of H.E. Archbishop silvano M. Tomasi, Permanent Observer of the Holy See to the United Nations at Geneva

• Conclusion of Archbishop Angel Lagdameo, President of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines