Declaration of The Hague on the Future of Refugee and Migration Policy
BIG CITIES INITIATIVE

 TOWARD A NEW APPROACH TO CITIZENSHIP: BUILDING ON CITIES’ POTENTIAL AS LEADERS OF SOCIAL CHANGE

 Cities now host more than half of the world population and display virtually unchallenged levels of diversity. The Big Cities Initiative, which came about as a response to the recommendations of the Final Report of the Global Commission on International Migration (GCIM), seeks to take up the issue of migration and inclusion in major urban areas across the globe. Activities undertaken stimulate debate on future citizenship and on the way forward for cities within a development and human rights perspective. Their aim is to strengthen effective dialogue between progressive local authorities and stakeholders in relevant policy fields (i.e employment, education, health, housing, civic and political participation) and ultimately to improve chances for refugees and migrants and the local participation of all residents. It is also intended to deepen the legitimate and valuable say of local governments to inform the national and international policy agenda, building on their potential as leaders and catalysts for social change.

POLICY AVENUES
  • Residency-based approach to citizenship: promotion of innovative visions and practices
  • Rights-based approaches for access to social services (universal standards, non-discrimination)
  • Subsidiarity, citizen-led strategies, partnerships and shared responsibilities for inclusion
  • Policy coherence agenda: identification of policy gaps, opportunities and demands for cross-level consultations and dialogue between local, regional and national/federal levels)
  • Promotion and support to relevant initiatives in the field notably in co-operation with UNESCO