International Migrants Day 2019 Quotes: Sayings on the Day Adopted by United Nations General Assembly in 2000

Migrants - this word has garnered a lot of attention in recent times. Amidst the continued protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act in India, the worldwide political debate on migrants and the flood of opinions on the topic of immigration, celebrating the International Migrants Day sets the reminder on the need for migration. International Migrants Day 2019 will is being observed on December 18 and will mark the 19th year of this observance. The United Nations General Assembly adopted this day as the International Migrants Day in 2000. It also marks the anniversary of the resolution of the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families, which was adopted in 1990. India Leads International Migrants’ List; Overseas Indian Community, at 17.5 Million, Largest in the World: UN. 

International Migrants Day focuses on raising awareness about the acts of hate and violence against migrants. People also focus on spreading information on human rights and political freedom of migrants across borders as well as the initiatives that countries need to take in order to ensure the safety of our country. These discussions become especially crucial in current times. And there is a lot that has been said on the subject of migration that captures the essence of the need for migration and how it benefits humanity as a whole. As we celebrate International Migrants Day 2019, here are some of the best quotes on migration by some of the key advocates of the subject! International Migrants Day 2019 Date: History, Significance of the Day Which Recognises Efforts, Contributions, and Rights of Migrants Worldwide.

Quote Reads: "People come here penniless but not cultureless. They bring us gifts. We can synthesize the best of our traditions with the best of theirs. We can teach and learn from each other." - Mary Pipher

Quote Reads: "Migration is an expression of the human aspiration for dignity, safety and a better future. It is part of the social fabric, part of our very make-up as a human family." - Ban Ki-moon

Quote Reads: "A broken immigration system means broken families and broken lives." - Jose Antonio Vargas, journalist & film-maker

Quote Reads: "Remember, remember always, that all of us, and you and I especially are descended from immigrants and revolutionists." Franklin D. Roosevelt

Quote Reads: "History in its broadest aspect is a record of man's migrations from one environment to another." Ellsworth Huntington

Quote Reads: "The land flourished because it was fed from so many sources--because it was nourished by so many cultures and traditions and peoples." Lyndon B. Johnson

Quote Reads: "We can't deter people fleeing for their lives. They will come. The choice we have is how well we manage their arrival, and how humanely." Antonio Guterres

There is no questioning the fact that migrants bring with them their rich cultural and social influences, they add more to our society. They also strive to be better, add to our social, economic and political construct and bring in some much-needed perspective to our lives. And there needs to be more awareness on why able countries need to open their arms and help migrants to relocate, resurface and build their own lives in a better place. Migration, after all, is not a political issue but a human one. And this International Migrants Day, we hope that more people understand the crux of this situation and understand the need to have a balanced but well-functioning migration system in place, and respect, protect and befriend the migrants that they come across.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Dec 18, 2019 08:30 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).