Discussion on Refugees and Migrants, 19 February 2016

The CPLO in collaboration with the EU-Delegation to South Africa hosted a discussion on refugees and migrants. The two main speakers were Sergio Carciotto of the Scalabrini Institute, providing a brief overview of the evolution of migration policy in South Africa, why migration policies fail and the various immigration and refugee legislation. The second speaker, Vuyani Shwane, of the Cape Town Refugee Centre, highlighted the opportunities and challenges for organizations working in the field and threats of violent outbreaks in 2016 and the integration of refugees and asylum seekers. The head of the EU-Delegation to South Africa, Ambassador Marcus Cornaro attended and commented on issues raised and mentioned the similarities that South Africa and Europe finds itself in with regards to migrants and asylum seekers.

(Fr. Peter-John, Director of the CPLO, and Ambassador Marcus Cornaro)