In 2001 the UN General Assembly declared 20 June as World Refugee Day to recall the millions of people uprooted worldwide. That same year the first "World Refugee Day" was held internationally.

In commemoration of World Refugee Day, from the IPCM we express our solidarity with the thousands and thousands of people who leave their country, fleeing from war and persecution in search of better lives for themselves and their families, and we appeal to the responsibility of governments of all countries to help these people, save lives and ensure the safety of everyone, with an open and democratic spirit in a plural society.

In successive statements the International Platform for Cooperation and Migration (IPCM) has expressed its concern over refugees. These can be consulted on this website.

The Board of Directors of the International Platform for Cooperation and Migration (IPCM) met in Lisbon on 3 June, 2016 with all its members attending. In line with the IPCM's raison d'etre, the meeting focused its interest on the analysis of the current position on EU asylum and migration policies and those of its member countries. A statement has been drafted and approved on this topic read here

The International Platform for Cooperation and Migration (IPCM), at a meeting in Lisbon, wishes to state the following:

1. The World Humanitarian Summit, held in Istanbul on 23 and 24 May 2016, represents a major step in recognising the current grave situation in the international community. The commitment of the UN and its Secretary General are a call to action by all (individuals, governments, social organisations etc.) and were welcomed by the IPCM.
   
   
2. The IPCM stresses the need to reaffirm the EU's ethical and political values, the defence of human rights, human dignity, individual freedom and social welfare.
   
   
3. The IPCM believes that the EU is an exceptional process that has been enormously beneficial to its member states, their populations and the rest of the world. Therefore, the current refugee crisis must not serve to question the role of the EU or its existence, but - on the contrary - to strengthen solidarity among all and achieve a common position between all countries.

Lisbon 3 June, 2016