By Jacob Lawrence, 1917-2000, Artist (NARA record: 1981548) 
(U.S. National Archives and Records Administration) [Public domain], 
via Wikimedia Commons

It is a default setting in man, to aspire to live a positive life. A life that is not only about survival but also one that one he is able to live without fear or intimidation with a constant supply of food, resources and every other basic need. But due to political generated violence, high levels of poverty and an up rise in insecurity, individuals are being forced to move from hostile regions to more friendly areas. Due to the ever increasing number of people migrating, the United Nations General Assembly declared 18th December as International Migrants Day.

This is usually a day where the state members of the UN, non-governmental and governmental organizations asked to be part of the day by distributing information on the rights of the migrants as any other human being and their rights to freedom. Furthermore, the organizations and member states are expected to share the experiences of the migrants and come up with an action design towards their protection.

According to the United Nations official website this day was proclaimed to be Worlds Migrant Day on the 4th of December in the year 2000. This is because this day was the day when the United Nations adopted the international convention concerning the safeguarding the rights of migrant workers together with their families. On October 2013, a declaration was adopted by all the member state to promote international labor standards for all and contribute to migrant development.

By using the hash tag, am a migrant (#amamigrant) on social media, global citizens are encouraged to mark the day by sharing photos and videos together with their stories on how migrants are able to contribute to communities and economies throughout the world. The United Nations secretary general was able to put forward in 2013 an eight point agenda on how to make migration work. With the ever increasing rates of immigration, there is need to create awareness on the challenges faced by immigrants and also how they can be avoided.

The plight of migrants has always attracted a lot of attention, especially from well-known public figures who have always used their stature to encourage the respect of all immigrants .Pope Francis of the catholic has always been part and parcel of this campaign and has always urged all countries to respect the migrants and not to use them as pawns. The US president has also been encouraging the respect of the migrants as human beings despite at times receiving massive criticism from the opposition concerning some of the immigration issues.

You can also be part and parcel of this campaign thanks to sites like mytravelmaps.org where by, when you book your trips through them you are able to contribute to charity at the same time. My travel maps is a site that is totally committed to charity activities ever since its inception and will be part and parcel of the world’s immigration day. Through such organizations you are not only able to travel at the same time contributing to a good cause especially since the worlds migrants day is approaching.