On the occasion of International Migrants' Day, the International Platform for Cooperation and Migration (IPCM) wishes to express the following:

1. The IPCM calls for a calm, cool look at the analysis of migratory phenomena, which provide multiple opportunities and situations both inside and outside the EU.
2. It calls for greater cultural and educational assistance for migrants of all ages, taking specific measures, in view of the fact that we face the great challenge of increasing ethnic, religious and linguistic diversity in our countries.
3. It emphasizes the important work of direct assistance to immigrants provided by social organisations, which deserve the support of public administration and European institutions for their role in supporting social cohesion.
4. It defends the dignity of all people and their individual rights and freedoms, which must be safeguarded against existing threats.
5. It considers that trade unions and other workers' organisations have a great responsibility in opening up to foreigners, welcoming migrant workers and combatting xenophobic ideologies.
6. It invites IPCM member organisations and the general public to join International Migrants' Day on 18 December.

In Marseilles, 3 December, 2016

On 25, 26 and 27 November, the Monastery of San Millán de la Cogolla (La Rioja) hosted the seminar "Cultural and linguistic diversity, minorities and immigration", organised by the IPCM and the Humanism and Democracy Foundation (founding member of the Platform), along with the collaboration of the San Millán de la Cogolla Foundation.

During the seminar, the importance of the Spanish language was emphasized as being an essential vehicle for the integration of immigrants in Spain. Knowing the Spanish language is fundamental when it comes to finding employment, being able to relate to one's environment and becoming integrated within the host society. In addition, knowledge of the Spanish language brings access to a cultural universe of the first magnitude, as Spanish is now spoken by 470 million people in the world.

The International Platform for Cooperation and Migration took part in the international seminar "The labour market emerging from the economic and social crisis and its impact on the creation of a fairer society" held in Madrid from 11 to 13 November. 2016.

The seminar was organised by the Humanism and Democracy Foundation - H+D, founder member of the IPCM, with funding from the European Union and the European Centre for Workers' Affairs (EZA).

The seminar provided an analysis of employment policies in different member states of the European Union, within the framework of the Europe 2020 Strategy, as well as looking at the role of the Social Dialogue in building a better future for all.

The International Platform for Cooperation and Migration (IPCM) has collaborated in staging the international seminar "Structural challenges to the welfare state: new challenges for the model of workers' social protection" (read programme) held in Alcalá de Henares (Madrid) from 30 September to 2 October, 2016. This seminar was organized by the Spanish Centre for Workers' Affairs (CEAT in its Spanish acronym), with funding from the European Union and the European Centre for Workers' Questions (EZA).