New York, USA. The Claretian Delegation, representing Fondazione Proclade Internazionale-Onlus, actively participated in the Second International Migration Review Forum (IMRF2), held at the United Nations Headquarters in New York from May 5 to 8, 2026, reaffirming its commitment to the defense of human dignity, the rights of migrants, and the promotion of migration policies centered on life and social justice. The IMRF is the primary intergovernmental review mechanism of the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration (GCM), adopted at the United Nations in 2018, and convenes every four years to assess its implementation by Member States, international organizations, and civil society.
The delegation was represented by Henry Ramírez, CMF, from the Claretian Team at the United Nations; José Antonio Benítez Pineda, CMF, from the Fátima Province, Las Palmas, Gran Canaria; Rafael Villalobos, CMF, from the Central America Province, Costa Rica; and, briefly, Alex Gaitán, CMF, from the USA–Canada Province. Their presence brought direct pastoral witness from regions at the frontlines of contemporary migration: the Canary Islands, a major gateway for sub-Saharan African migrants entering Europe, and Central America, one of the world’s most active displacement corridors.
Through meetings with Member States, side events, and dialogue spaces with civil society organizations and international agencies, the Proclade delegation shared pastoral and humanitarian experiences developed in communities affected by forced displacement, poverty, violence, and the climate crisis. The participation also highlighted the work carried out by Claretian communities accompanying migrants, refugees, and displaced families.
During the Forum, Claretian representatives emphasized the urgent need to strengthen the protection of people in situations of human mobility, promote safe migration pathways, and recognize the structural causes — armed conflicts, economic inequality, and environmental degradation — that force millions to leave their territories, while reiterating the importance of listening to local communities, faith-based organizations, and social movements in the implementation of the GCM, promoting a vision of migration grounded in human rights, solidarity, and care for our Common Home.
Fondazione Proclade Internazionale-Onlus presented the policy brief titled “From Emergency Assistance to Integral Accompaniment in Migration” — a document drawing on the experience of the Claretian Family accompanying migrants, refugees, and displaced persons across Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America, and North America. The document highlights the need to move beyond immediate humanitarian assistance toward integral processes of accompaniment, social inclusion, human rights protection, and structural advocacy, placing human dignity at the center of migration policy.
The policy brief also presents recommendations directed to Member States, UN agencies, and the international community, promoting safe and regular migration pathways. Formally endorsed by 16 Claretian Major Organisms across four continents, it reflects the breadth of the Claretian migration ministry worldwide.
“Integral accompaniment — humanitarian, social, pastoral, and advocacy — offers a concrete and tested way to implement the Global Compact for Migration and to build more just, welcoming, and intercultural societies.”
— Claretian Policy Brief, IMRF2 2026
As part of the IMRF2 multi-stakeholder review process, the Claretian Family formally announced its Voluntary Commitments for 2026–2030 to advance the implementation of the Global Compact for Migration globally. These commitments include expanding humanitarian accompaniment along active migration routes, scaling legal protection and documentation support for migrants in vulnerable situations, and launching a Global Claretian Migration Network connecting provinces across all continents to coordinate advocacy, share pastoral methodologies, and strengthen a common congregational voice in international policy spaces.
📄 Download the Policy Brief
IMRF2 concluded with the adoption of the intergovernmentally negotiated outcome document, the “Progress Declaration” a collective affirmation by Member States of their commitment to advancing the GCM’s 23 objectives and a renewed call for multilateral cooperation, shared responsibility, and the protection of migrants’ rights globally.
Through its presence at IMRF2 and in preparation for the next review cycle, the Claretian Family continues strengthening its prophetic mission of accompanying the vulnerable peoples on the move and building bridges of hope, fraternity, and peace among nations.
