With these words, the President of the European Centre for Workers' Affairs (EZA), the former Dutch MEP, Bartho Pronk, recognised the importance of the good migration management by the Spanish authorities in Melilla, as opposed to a chaotic situation reigning in other European countries. These declarations were made after his visit to the Temporary Accommodation Centre for Immigrants in Melilla (CETI in its Spanish acronym) and the perimeter of the Spanish-Moroccan border.

The seminar Migration phenomena and EU migration policy: an analytical reflection and perspectives within the European Social Dialogue (see programme) brought together representatives of nine European countries in Melilla.

This was organised by the International Platform for Cooperation and Migration - IPCM - in collaboration with H+D and the  Melilla Culture dept., on 24 and 25 February. The seminar was funded by the European Union and the European Centre for Workers' Affairs (EZA).

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.