Archbishop François-Xavier Maroy Rusengo from Bukavu (DR Congo) debated with representatives of the European Commission and the European Parliament the root causes of migration in Central and Eastern Africa, and the possible ways to address them.
(Credit: COMECE)
The luncheon debate – organised by COMECE together with Kolping-Netzwerk für Geflüchtete, missio Aachen, and Bertelsmann Stiftung – intended to raise awareness on the root causes of migration, identifying possible ways to address them in order to contribute to improve the prospects of Africa’s youth.
In front of a large, attentive and participatory audience, Archbishop Maroy-Rusengo stressed the need to look at the about 3.7 million internally displaced people in his country not as numbers but as human beings.
The Archbishop identified three main causes that force young people out of their original regions: the exploitation of “conflict minerals” inflaming violence, the political impasse in the country, and the regional instability.
Mgr. Rusengo-Maroy stressed that the Catholic Church in DR Congo is closely accompanying the political process. It raises awareness and engages in concrete projects to address the suffering of the people. A particular concern to the Church is to provide the youth with decent future prospects and educate a new leadership for the society and the country. In this respect, the EU should dedicate more resources, and more efficiently, to the local actors.
Mr. Stefano Signore (DG DEVCO), representative of the European Commission, referred to the recent and planned EU initiatives aiming to create job opportunities for young people in Africa. MEP Michael Gahler emphasised the need for a new European concept to address the root causes of migration by focusing more on a project-based approach with reliable partners.
Around the event, participants explored two trucks exhibitions organized by Kolping Netzwerk für Geflüchtete and missin Aachen in order to raise awareness about the root causes of migration and emphasize the importance of integration policies that contribute to the social acceptance of migrants and refugees in the European Union.
Media
Read the full keynote address of Archbishop Maroy-Rusengo (FR)
Download the programme of the luncheon debate (EN)
Watch a short video fragment of Mgr. keynote address (FR)
Watch the video interview to Archbishop Rusengo-Maroy (FR)
Listen to Radio Vatican interview to Archbishop Rusengo-Maroy (FR)
Visit the Photo Gallery