John,
I write to you today from the 6th Mayoral Forum on Human Mobility, Migration and Development in Quito, Ecuador. More than 100 mayoral and municipal representatives from three dozen countries and five continents are gathered here for the next 3 days with one overarching charge - cooperation and coordination between local and state actors in managing large movements of refugees and migrants. A continuation of the work we started in Morocco with the Marrakesh Mayors Declaration in 2018 - [link removed]
Cities are the first responders on the frontlines of the most pronounced and severe global migration crisis since the Second World War.
This crisis has put considerable strain on the communities my fellow Mayors represent. Most come from nations with complicated national political situations, and many a lack of economic opportunities at the local level. Despite this severe challenge and the urgent call for international investments in alleviating the human migration crisis, I remain in awe of the resilience, optimism and hope these local leaders project.
Our call to local action and pledge to concrete policies and programs include 6 key action areas:
1. Migration Governance
2. Economic Opportunity
3. Climate Resilience
4. Access to Essential Services
5. Inclusion and Social Cohesion
6. Vulnerable Groups
Clarkston, Ga, USA along with my fellow US mayoral delegations are committed to seeing our Nation's leadership and role in this global challenge is not diminished or undervalued. We pledged to the international community that, regardless of who occupies the US Presidency or any possible retreat from our role in international migration policy cooperation, we will remain stalwart in our commitment to act as one voice, united by our belief that a Global Compact for Safe, Orderly, and Regular Migration (GCM), as well as the Global Compact on Refugees (GCR), is the best way forward during an increasingly disruptive era in our world history.
Together we can address a crisis that touches every continent and nation with compassion and practicality. The opportunity for a mutual path forward is within our sights, we need only to have the courage to take the steps forward, arm and arm, together towards a more equitable and just world for all.
Mark Twain wrote -- Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts. Broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things can not be acquired by vegetating in one little corner of the earth all one's lifetime.
We could all use a little travel. Not in the hop on an airplane sense necessarily. But in pushing the boundaries of our comfort zones, challenging ourselves to expand our understanding of the world and thereby the plight of our fellow man and woman. If we do this, I believe we will find, in spite of everything, people are really good at heart. This gives me hope that it will all come out right, that this cruelty shall pass, and tranquility and peace will return again.
- Mayor Ted Terry
