Practical Information for Participants - Global Forum on Migration ...

GFMD 2012 SUMMIT MEETING
21 - 22 November 2012, Pailles, Mauritius
“Enhancing the human development of migrants and their
contribution to the development of communities and states”
PRACTICAL INFORMATION FOR PARTICIPANTS
(as of 19 November 2012)

GFMD 2012 Summit Meeting
21 – 22 November 2012
Pailles, Mauritius
PRACTICAL INFORMATION FOR PARTICIPANTS
(as of 13 November 2012)
The <strong>Global</strong> <strong>Forum</strong> on Migration and Development is a State-led process. The GFMD
2012 Summit Meeting is expected to be attended by policy makers, politicians and
experts in migration and development.
The GFMD 2012 Government Meeting will take place at the Swami Vivekananda
International Convention Centre (SVICC) in Pailles, Mauritius from 21 to 22 November
2012. (http://www.svicc.mu)
PROVISIONAL PROGRAM OF THE GOVERNMENT MEETING (21-22 NOV 2012)
The GFMD 2012 Summit Meeting will revolve around the central theme, “Enhancing the
human development of migrants and their contribution to the development of
communities and states.”
All conference documents will be posted on the GFMD web portal:
http://www.gfmd.org/en/docs/mauritius-2012 as soon as they become available.
Roundtable 1: Circulating Labour <strong>for</strong> Inclusive Development
� RT session 1.1: Beyond-the-border Skills and Jobs <strong>for</strong> Human Development
� RT session 1.2: Supporting Migrants and Diaspora as Agents of Socioeconomic
Change
Roundtable 2: Factoring Migration into Development Planning
� RT session 2.1: Supporting National Development through Migration
Mainstreaming Processes, Extended Migration Profiles and Poverty Reduction
Strategies
� RT session 2.2: Addressing South-South Migration and Development Policies
Roundtable 3: Managing Migration and Perceptions of Migration <strong>for</strong> Development
Outcomes
� RT session 3.1: Improving Public Perceptions of Migrants and Migration:
Challenging Preconceptions and Shaping Perceptions
� RT session 3.2: Migrant Protection and Migration Management
� RT session 3.3: Protecting Migrant Domestic Workers-Enhancing their
Development Potential
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Below is the Provisional Program of the two-day Government Meeting:
Wednesday, November 21
SCHEDULE ACTIVITY VENUE
8:15 ‐ 9:15 Arrival of Delegates (Doors will close at 9:00 am)
Opening Ceremony
9:30 ‐ 9:35
Welcome Address / Call
to Order
Mr Ali Mansoor, GFMD 2012 Chair
9:35 ‐ 9:55 Opening Speeches
9:55 ‐ 10:05 Key Note Speech
10:10‐10:20
10:20 ‐ 10:30
10:30 – 10:50
10:50 ‐ 11:00
Report of the Civil Society
Days
Report of the <strong>Global</strong>
Migration Group
H.E. Dr Mohamed Ibn Chambas, Secretary
General,
African, Caribbean, and Pacific Group of States
Sir Peter Sutherland, UNSG Special
Representative <strong>for</strong> Migration and Development
Dr The Hon Arvind Boolell, Minister of Foreign
Affairs, Regional Integration & International
Trade, Republic of Mauritius
Chairperson of the Civil Society Days
Mr Yury Fedotov, <strong>Global</strong> Migration Group Chair
and
Director General, United Nations Office on
Drugs and Crime
Common Space (CS)
Plenary Hall
Opening Plenary Session of the Common Space – Moderator: Dr Khalid Koser, Deputy
Director, Geneva Centre <strong>for</strong> Security Policy
Introduction to the
Common Space
Statement by the
European Union
Amb William Lacy Swing, Director General,
International Organization <strong>for</strong> Migration
Mr Stefano Manservisi, Director General <strong>for</strong>
Home Affairs,
European Commission
Plenary Hall
Delegates proceed to the Common Space breakout sessions – Coffee will be served near
the breakout rooms
CS Breakout session 1 ‐ Diaspora alliances and partnerships <strong>for</strong>
development
Moderator: Dr Kathleen Newland, Director, Migration Policy Institute
CS Breakout session 2 ‐ Common ground and partnerships to protect
migrants in distress
11:00 – 12:30 Moderator: Sir Peter Sutherland, UNSG Special Representative on
International Migration and Development
CS Breakout session 3 ‐ Labour mobility and skills development <strong>for</strong>
inclusive growth and jobs
Moderator: H.E. Constantjin van Orange Nassau, Deputy Head of Cabinet
Vice President Kroes, European Commission
12:30 – 12:40 Delegates proceed to the Plenary Hall
Paille‐en‐
queue
Pink Pigeon
Kestrel
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12:40 – 14:00
Closing Plenary Session of the Common Space – Moderator: Dr Khalid Koser, Deputy
Director, Geneva Centre <strong>for</strong> Security Policy
Reports on CS Breakout
Sessions
Closing Comments
Ms Carmelita S Dimzon, Administrator of
OWWA, Philippines
Mr Francois Crépeau, UN Special Rapporteur on
the Human Rights of Migrants
Ms Audrey d'Hotman de
Villiers, Manager, Corporate Social
Responsibility, Rogers & Company Limited
The Hon Shakeel Mohamed, Minister of Labour,
Industrial Relations and Employment, Republic
of Mauritius
Plenary Hall
14:00 – 15:30 Lunch; End of Civil Society participation in the Government Meeting Atrium
15:30 ‐ 18:30
19:00 ‐ 20:30
Thursday, November 22
Roundtable Sessions (RT)
RT Session 1.1 ‐ Beyond‐the‐Border Skills and Jobs <strong>for</strong> Human
Development
Co‐chairs: Mr Ali Mansoor (Mauritius); Mr Alex Zalami (UAE)
Rapporteur: Dr Md Shahidul Haque (Bangladesh)
RT Session 2.1 ‐ Supporting National Development through Migration
Mainstreaming Processes, Extended Migration Profiles
and Poverty Reduction Strategies
Co‐chairs: Amb Omar Hilale (Morocco); Amb Eduard Gnesa (Switzerland)
Rapporteur: Mr Justin McDermott (Sweden)
RT Session 3.1 ‐ Improving Public Perceptions of Migrants and Migration:
Challenging Preconceptions and Shaping Perceptions
Co‐chairs: Mr Mark Davidson (Canada); Amb Ulises Canchola Gutiérrez
(Mexico)
Welcome Reception hosted by The Hon Xavier‐Luc Duval, Vice Prime
Minister, Minister of Finance and Economic Development, Republic of
Mauritius
Paille‐en‐
queue
Pink Pigeon
Kestrel
Domaine les
Pailles
SCHEDULE ACTIVITY VENUE
9:00 ‐ 12:00
Roundtable Sessions (RT)
RT Session 1.2 ‐ Supporting Migrants and Diaspora as Agents of
Socioeconomic Change
Co‐chairs: Amb Francis Hurtut (France); Mrs Beatrice N Kituyi (Kenya); Mr
Mohammed Bernoussi (Morocco)
RT Session 2.2 ‐ Addressing South‐South Migration and Development
Policies
Co‐chairs: Dr Md Shahidul Haque (Bangladesh); Dr Prosper Asima (Ghana)
Rapporteur: Mr Paulo Cavaleri (Argentina)
RT Session 3.2 ‐ Migrant Protection as Integral to Migration Management
Co‐chairs: Amb M.A. Getahun (Ethiopia); Ms Kate O’ Malley (Australia)
Rapporteur: Amb M.A. Getahun (Ethiopia)
Paille‐en‐
queue
Pink Pigeon
Kestrel
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12:00 ‐ 13:30 Lunch Atrium
13:30 ‐ 16:30
RT Session 3.3 ‐ Protecting Migrant Domestic Workers‐Enhancing their
Development Potential
Co‐chairs: Amb Evan Garcia (Philippines); Amb Ercumend Ahmet Enc (Turkey)
Rapporteur: Mr Philippe Bronchain (Belgium)
Special Session on the Future of the <strong>Forum</strong> (Heads of delegations only)
Chair: Amb Shree Servansing, Permanent Representative of Mauritius to the
United Nations and Other International Organizations in Geneva and GFMD
2012 Assessment Chair
Working Session on the Plat<strong>for</strong>m <strong>for</strong>
Partnerships
Co‐chairs: Mr Kristof Tamas (Sweden), Mr
Christoph Graf (Switzerland), and Mr Kaan
Baskurt (Turkey)
Utilizing the PfP <strong>for</strong> Sharing
Knowledge and Promoting
Partnerships in Migration and
Development
Kestrel
Paille‐en‐
queue
Pink Pigeon
16:30 ‐ 17:00 Coffee Break Atrium
Closing Plenary Session
Reports on the Roundtables and Special Session on the Future of the <strong>Forum</strong>
General Rapporteur: Mrs
Report on RT 1 outcomes
Marcela Chacon, Vice Minister
of Public Security, Republic of
Costa Rica
General Rapporteur: Amb
Abdulaziz Musa Dankano,
Report on RT 2 outcomes
Director in Charge of Migration
and Consular Matters, Ministry
of Foreign Affairs, Nigeria
General Rapporteur: Ms
Catherine Wiesner, Deputy
Assistant Secretary of State,
17:00 ‐ 18:00 Report on RT 3 outcomes
Bureau of Population, Refugees
and Migration (PRM),
Department of State, United
States of America
Plenary Hall
Comments by the World Bank
Mr Mahmoud Mohieldin,
Managing Director, World Bank
Report on the Special Session on the Future
of the <strong>Forum</strong>
Comments by UNSG Special Representative
<strong>for</strong> Migration and Development
Amb Shree Servansing,
Permanent Representative,
Permanent Mission of
Mauritius In Geneva
Sir Peter Sutherland
18:00 ‐ 18:10 Conclusions by the GFMD 2012 Chair Mr Ali Mansoor
18:10 ‐ 18:20
18:20 ‐ 18:30 Closing Remarks
Hand‐over / Statement by the Incoming
Chair Sweden
Amb Eva Åkerman‐Börje,
Government Offices, Sweden
The Hon Shakeel Mohamed,
Minister of Labour, Industrial
Relations and Employment,
Republic of Mauritius
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Given the large number of participants anticipated to attend the opening plenary on
November 21 st , and the need <strong>for</strong> security checks, it is highly suggested that all
delegates arrive at SVICC by 9:00 am at the latest. Transportations will be arranged
from the delegates’ hotels to the convention center to ensure that everyone will arrive
on time.
Coffee breaks will be served in accordance with the program. A welcome reception will
also be hosted on 21 November, at 19.00hrs.
REGISTRATION
Registration is open only to all Member States and Observer States of the United
Nations. UN Agencies and other international and regional bodies, as well as select civil
society actors may be invited as Observers.
To promote institutional coherence, the composition of each delegation and
registration <strong>for</strong> the GFMD 2012 Summit Meeting should be arranged through the
designated GFMD Focal Point of each State or Observer organization.
DELEGATION COMPOSITION
Member States are invited to serve delegates holding senior policy responsibilities in
the fields of migration, development, employment and planning.
The registration of the delegation should be arranged through the focal point of each
Member State.
Governments are encouraged to ensure, to the extent possible, that their delegation
composition is gender-balanced.
All members of the delegation will receive a delegate’s badge (country and name) that
will enable them to have access to the venue and attend all plenary and Roundtable
sessions of the GFMD 2012 Summit Meeting.
B. GFMD Observers and other Non-governmental Delegations
GFMD Observers are invited to send up to 3 delegates, including the Head of
Delegation. The registration of the delegation should be arranged through the focal point
of each Observer.
Other Non-government participants such as technical experts, media, and other
GFMD related delegates may also be invited to the meeting, subject to approval by
the Mauritian GFMD Task<strong>for</strong>ce.
CONFERENCE BADGES
Conference badges and kits will be delivered by the liaison officers to hotels. For this
purpose, it is important that delegations provide details of their hotel reservations as
soon as possible.
6

As a rule, official accreditation badges will be released ONLY to a registered delegation
member and/or a duly authorized representative of the Government (e.g., officials and
staff of the country’s diplomatic mission in Port Louis or nearby missions).
RULES OF PROCEDURE
The <strong>Forum</strong> is an in<strong>for</strong>mal, interactive, non-decision making process. It is governed by
the Chatham House rule – i.e., comments will not be attributed and will be in<strong>for</strong>mal.
Strict guidelines will be given to the chair(s) of the Roundtable sessions to discourage
and avoid general statements prepared in advance by participants. The intention is to
promote interactive discussion and debate, the GFMD's main objective.
In view of the state-led nature of the GFMD, Governments have the priority <strong>for</strong> making
interventions at the Common Space and Roundtable sessions. The Observers will
speak, as invited by the RT Co-chairs; they shall limit their comments to promote a real
exchange among states.
LANGUAGES
� Simultaneous interpretation will be available in English, French and Spanish.
� All official documents will be available in English, French and Spanish.
� Discussion notes will not be translated.
VISA REQUIREMENTS
All delegates are strongly advised that they should have a passport with a
minimum of six months validity as from date of travel.
Delegates are responsible <strong>for</strong> arranging their visas (including <strong>for</strong> transit
purposes), if required. The following visa regulations should be treated as general
guidelines and exemptions may apply in certain cases.
Effective 9 November 2012, the Government of Mauritius has implemented new visa
regulations, requiring nationals from only 21 countries to secure visa prior to travel to
Mauritius. These countries are:
Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Korea DPR, Laos, Libya,
Mali, Pakistan, Philippines, Somalia, Sri Lanka, Sudan, South Sudan, Syria,
Viet Nam, Yemen
Nationals from the following countries can secure a VISA FOR TWO WEEKS UPON
ARRIVAL:
Algeria, Comoros, Madagascar, Myanmar, Nigeria
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Nationals from the following countries can secure a VISA FOR SIXTY DAYS UPON
ARRIVAL:
Albania, Andorra, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Benin, Bhutan,
Bolivia, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Burkina Faso, Cambodia, Cameroon,
Central African Rep., Colombia, Costa Rica, Cote D'Ivoire, Cuba,
Djibouti, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Equatorial
Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Georgia, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea
Bissau, Haiti, Honduras, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Lebanon,
Liberia, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Marshall
Islands, Mauritania, Micronesia, Moldova, Mongolia, Morocco,
Nepal, Nicaragua, Niger, Palau, Panama, Peru, Sao Tome &
Principe, Senegal, Tajikistan, Thailand, Timor Leste, Togo,
Turkmenistan, Ukraine, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Venezuela, Serbia,
Montenegro
VISA REGULATIONS FOR HOLDERS OF DIPLOMATIC PASSPORT AND LAISSEZ
PASSER
i. Holders of Diplomatic Passports other than those issued by the Government of
Afghanistan, Algeria, Democratic Republic of Congo, Iran, Iraq, Libya, Liberia,
Nigeria, Sudan, and Yemen, ARE EXEMPTED FROM VISA.
ii. Holders of Laissez-passer issued by the United Nations, SADC or from other
internationally recognized organizations are exempted from visa.
VISA APPLICATION PROCEDURE
GFMD delegates needing visa should apply at the nearest field offices of the International
Organization <strong>for</strong> Migration (IOM), who will then secure a visa facilitation letter from the Passport
and Immigration Office of Mauritius.
Travel Focal Points have been designated by the IOM to assist in facilitating the entry to
Mauritius in Port Louis. Write to GFMDMovementUnit@iom.int if you need such assistance.
Which documents to submit to the IOM office?
1. Two recent passport-size photos of the applicant
2. Photocopy of the data pages of applicant's passport, which must be valid <strong>for</strong>
at least six months from the date of departure from Mauritius
3. A copy of the Residence Permit (applicable <strong>for</strong> applicants not residing in their
country of origin). Same to be valid <strong>for</strong> at least three months after proposed date
of departure from Mauritius.
CONTACT DETAILS
1. Passport and Immigration Office, Port Louis, Mauritius.
Address: Sterling House, 9-11, LisletGeoffroy Street, Port Louis, Mauritius
Tel: (230) 2109312
Fax: (230) 2109322
E-mail: piovisa@mail.gov.mu
2. The Field Offices of the International Organization <strong>for</strong> Migration (IOM)
8

For more in<strong>for</strong>mation, please visit:
http://www.gov.mu/portal/site/passportSite/menuitem.0bcce5f722a8dc2a9528f049a68521ca
HEALTH REQUIREMENTS
Delegates coming from the following countries are REQUIRED to have yellow
fever vaccination be<strong>for</strong>e entering Mauritius:
1. Angola
2. Argentina
3. Benin
4. Bolivia
5. Brazil
6. Burkina Faso
7. Burundi
8. Cameroon
9. Central African Republic
10. Chad
11. Colombia
12. Congo
13. Congo, DR
14. 14. Cote d’Ivoire
ACCOMMODATION
15. Ecuador
16. Equatorial Guinea
17. Ethiopia
18. French Guinea
19. Gabon
20. Gambia
21. Ghana
22. Guinea
23. Guinea-Bissau
24. Guyana
25. Kenya
26. Liberia
27. Mali
28. Mauritania
29. Niger
30. Nigeria
31. Panama
32. Paraguay
33. Peru
34. Rwanda
35. Senegal
36. Sierra Leone
37. Sudan
38. Suriname
39. Togo
40. Trinidad
41. Uganda
42. 42. Venezuela
Special rates have been negotiated by the Mauritian GFMD Task Force with various
hotels in the vicinity of the Swami Vivekananda International Convention Centre,
Pailles,venue of GFMD 2012 Summit Meeting. The rates proposed are on a bed &
breakfast (BB) basis.
Below is an overview of these hotel options. Please note that published rates are
valid only up to the indicated option date <strong>for</strong> each hotel.
To confirm the reservation, the delegation is requested to contact directly the
contact person(s) of the hotel in order to comply with the standard booking
requirements such as credit card details.
From 01 August onwards, all delegations are requested to contact the hotels
directly, with copy to Mr. Soondiren Mootoo (see below contact details).
Should you have any difficulties with the reservations, please contact:
Mr. Mootoo Soondiren
Phone: +230 2012404
Mobile: +230 2519597
Fax: +230 2012701
E-mail: mmootoo@mail.gov.mu
Copied to: registration@gfmd.org
9

Accommodation in Port Louis and Ebene:
Hotel &
Rooms
available
Henessy
Park Hotel
(30)
St.
Georges
Hotel (55)
Address
65 Ebene
Cybercity,
Ebene
19 Rue St
Georges,
Port Louis
Distance
and time
from the
convention
centre
10 km, 20
minutes
Website
visit
Rate
single
(per day)
104 Euros
per room
BB
74 Euros
per room
BB
Rate
double
(per day)
130 Euros
per room
BB
Option
date
15
October
2012
15
October
2012
Henessy Park Hotel: sales@indigohotels.com, tel: +230 202 4022, fax: +230 211 9411
St. Georges Hotel: dir.hsg@intnet.mu, tel: +230 211 2581/82, fax: +230 2110885, mob: +230
2576967
Accommodation in the vicinity of Balaclava:
General Conditions:
� Mini-bar, breakfast and city tax per night are not included in the rates quoted.
� The special rates negotiated by the Mauritian GFMD Task Force are only valid
until the option date indicated <strong>for</strong> each hotel, without confirmation be<strong>for</strong>e this
date, there is the possibility that the indicated rates and accommodations will not
be available.
AIRPORT COURTESIES
Delegates will be received at the Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam
International Airport upon their arrival.
Ministers will be welcomed in the State Lounge. Other delegates will
proceed through the normal arrival lounge.
The Conference Secretariat will assist delegates with immigration and customs
<strong>for</strong>malities. Delegates are advised to tie ribbons in GFMD blue and green colors to
their luggage when they travel to Mauritius <strong>for</strong> easier identification and retrieval of their
luggage on arrival. This will help the Mauritian airport staff spot and segregate the
luggage of all GFMD delegates.
To ensure that appropriate courtesies will be extended, delegates are requested to
submit their flight details including their time of arrival and departure to the Conference
Secretariat by writing to Mr. Mootoo Soondiren at mmootoo@mail.gov.mu, copied to
registration@gfmd.org
Hotel
type
Business
Centre
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FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
<strong>Participants</strong> from certain developing countries are entitled to financial assistance to
ensure their participation at the GFMD 2012 Summit Meeting.
Please find below the mechanisms <strong>for</strong> financial assistance and criteria <strong>for</strong>
eligibility:
a. GFMD 2012 Chair -- Delegates of Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and Other
Low Income Countries (OLICs) listed on the DAC (Development assistance
Committee) List of ODA Recipients of OECD may request <strong>for</strong> financial assistance.
The coverage of such financial assistance is as follows:
� One (1) return economy class ticket
� Accommodation <strong>for</strong> three (3) nights (November 20, 21, 22)
� Daily allowance of USD 100 <strong>for</strong> the 3 day stay
As a rule, tickets will be booked and paid by the GFMD 2012 Task<strong>for</strong>ce based on the
most economical direct route to Port Louis, to be determined under International
Organization <strong>for</strong> Migration (IOM) Rules on Travel.
To avail of this financial assistance, the country’s focal point must send a Note
Verbale to the GFMD Support Unit indicating the name(s) of the delegate(s) <strong>for</strong>
whom such financial assistance is being requested.
The Mauritian GFMD Chair has secured the services of the IOM to facilitate the
travel of subsidized delegates. The IOM field offices will contact the nominated
delegates from the eligible countries by August 2012.
For any inquiries under this financial mechanism, please contact:
Ms Estrella Lajom
Head, GFMD Support Unit
Tel :+4122 788 49 46/47
Fax: +4122 788 49 48
E-mail: registration@gfmd.org
b. ACP Secretariat Mechanism – The Secretariat of the African, Caribbean and
Pacific Group of Countries (ACP Group) will consider applications <strong>for</strong> financial
assistance <strong>for</strong> one (1) country/capital-based Technical Expert / High Official <strong>for</strong>
each ACP Member State, which will cover the following:
� One return (1) economy class plane ticket
� Hotel accommodation <strong>for</strong> 4 nights in Mauritius; and
� € 209 daily allowance (per diem), multiplied by 4 days per delegate
11

The sponsored participants from ACP States must be nominated via the GFMD
Focal Points that were established in ACP States. GFMD Focal points
are thus requested to coordinate with their Brussels Missions in making the
nomination and submitting it directly to:
The ACP Secretariat, Brussels
Tel: +32 2 743 06 00
Fax: +32 2 735 55 73
E-mail: info@acp.int
The official nomination should indicate the name, address, telephone number,
fax number and electronic email address of the country/capital-based
Technical Expert / High Official to be funded.
Daily allowance
To avail of the daily allowance entitlement, delegates must submit the following
documents:
TRANSPORTATION
� Photocopy of passport and visa
� Boarding Pass of incoming travel
� Photocopy of return ticket
Shuttle buses will be operating between Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International
Airport and the hotels to assist delegations to the Civil Society Days and the
Government Meeting. Shuttles will also run between the Summit hotels and the Swami
Vivekananda International Convention Centre (SVICC) throughout the day:
Hennessy park La Pirogue Le Suffren Sofitel
Hilton La Plantation Pearl Beach St George
La Bordannais Le Meridien Port Chambly Sugar Beach
Voila Bagatelle
The schedules of these shuttle services will depend on arrival and departure schedules
of delegates; hence, it is important to have these details ahead of time.
In case of any changes, please also notify the GFMD Support Unit
(supportunit@gfmd.org) <strong>for</strong> appropriate action.
LIAISON OFFICERS
During the two-day Government meeting on 21 and 22 November, liaison officers will be
assigned to delegations on a group sharing basis. The liaison officer will be the main
point of contact <strong>for</strong> all queries concerning the GFMD 2012 Summit Meeting, including
organizing bilateral meetings.
The focal point of each delegation will receive an e-mail with the name, e-mail and
telephone number of the assigned liaison officer at least one week be<strong>for</strong>e the meeting.
12

MAPS
MEDIA ACCREDITATION PROCEDURES
Download Map
The <strong>Global</strong> <strong>Forum</strong> on Migration and Development (GFMD) is scheduled to take place
on 21 and 22 November 2012 in Mauritius. The two day meeting will be preceded by
the GFMD Civil Society Days on 19 and 20 November. The venue of the two events
will be the Swami Vivekananda International Convention Centre, Pailles
(http://www.svicc.mu)
Access to the venue of the GFMD and its preceding meetings and to the Media Centre
shall strictly be allowed upon presentation of an accreditation badge issued by the
National Organising Committee in Mauritius <strong>for</strong> the purpose. In this regard, all media
practitioners wishing to cover the <strong>Forum</strong> need to apply <strong>for</strong> accreditation, in accordance
with the following guidelines:
1. By not later than November 15, 2012, submit the following details:
a. Duly completed Media Accreditation Form;
b. Copy of identification card; and
c. 1x1 colored passport-size photograph.
d. Evidence of membership of News Agency/Organisation (Press
accreditation evidence in their country of origin).
2. Accreditation requests filed after the set deadline of November 15, 2012 shall not
be considered.
13

3. Media practitioners from outside Mauritius requiring an entry visa should apply at
the Mauritian diplomatic mission in their countries at least 4 weeks be<strong>for</strong>e the
event.
The Government of Mauritius will endeavor, to the extent possible, the speedy
issuance of visa to enter Mauritius to all accredited media. However, it will
not be responsible <strong>for</strong> securing any transit visa.
4. The accreditation process <strong>for</strong> media practitioners will be as follows:
a. The crew should be accredited at the Ministry of Finance and Economic
Development in Mauritius;
b. Following are the documents required <strong>for</strong> this step:
c.
i. A letter signed by their respective director or editor requesting <strong>for</strong>
accreditation;
ii. Two photos and photocopies of passport of each member of the crew; and
iii. Each member of the crew should also fill in the Application Form.
5. These documents must be sent to: Government <strong>In<strong>for</strong>mation</strong> Service, Prime
Minister’s Office [email: oseebaluck@mail.gov.mu; Telephone: (230) 201-1879;
Fax: (230) 208-8243] where an accreditation list shall be compiled as reference by
the <strong>Forum</strong> Technical Organising Committee when issuing accreditation badges to
those who applied on time and strictly only to those on the list.
6. Accreditation badges <strong>for</strong> media practitioners will be issued at an accreditation unit
to be set up near the Swami Vivekananda International Convention Centre, Pailles.
7. All media representatives will be cleared upon arrival at the airport. They should
be in possession of their CARNET to facilitate customs clearance of any equipment
that they will bring into the country.
8. A Media Centre will be set up at the Swami Vivekananda International Convention
Centre. Computers with internet connections will be made available. A media lounge
to carry out interviews as well as a Room <strong>for</strong> press briefings will also be set up.
9. The focal point <strong>for</strong> media accreditation is:
Government <strong>In<strong>for</strong>mation</strong> Service
Prime Minister’s Office
Name: Mr O.P. Seebaluck
Email: oseebaluck@mail.gov.mu
Telephone: (230) 201-1879
Fax: (230) 208-8243/ (230) 201-2244
10. Please note that only the GFMD opening and closing ceremonies will be open to the
media. It is also to be noted that not all sessions of the <strong>Forum</strong> will be open to the
media The same applies <strong>for</strong> the GFMD Civil Society Days.
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CIVIL SOCIETY DAYS
The GFMD 2012 Civil Society Days official website is: http://www.gfmdcivilsociety.org
For any question concerning applications, program and logistical arrangements of the
GFMD 2012 Civil Society Days, please contact :
Mr. Andres Morales
Program Officer
GFMD 2012 Civil Society Program
Tel: +4122 919 1026
Email: contact@gfmdcivilsociety.org
GET TO KNOW MAURITIUS
Mauritius is situated just above the Tropic of Capricorn, in the South-West of the Indian
Ocean, some 2000 kilometers off the coast of Africa.
An independent Sovereign State since March 12, 1968 and a republic since March
12, 1992, Mauritius has a 70-member National Assembly elected by universal adult
suffrage.
The Head of State is the President of the Republic. The prime Minister, who presides
over the Cabinet of Ministers, is the Head of the Government.
History
Mauritius was discovered by Portuguese explorers in the early sixteenth century but it
had been used <strong>for</strong> shelter by Arabs and Malays <strong>for</strong> centuries be<strong>for</strong>e. Uninhabited and
largely <strong>for</strong>est-covered, it was first settled by the Dutch in the seventeenth century but
was abandoned in 1710. In 1715, France claimed the island and renamed it ‘Isle de
France’. The first permanent settlement dates from 1722. Sugar soon became the major
crop. By 1797, the population has increased to about 60,000, including some
50,000 slaves from Africa and Madagascar. Seized in 1810 by the British, who renamed
it ‘Mauritius’, the island was <strong>for</strong>mally ceded by the French to the British in
1814. Slavery was abolished in 1835 and a fairly large number of indentured labourers
were brought from India to work in the sugar cane fields. The Indian immigrants were
later joined by a small number of Chinese traders. Mauritius remained a British colony till
it achieved independence in 1968.
Today, Mauritius has a multi-racial population and it is a country where various cultures
and traditions flourish in peace and harmony. It is a member of the United Nations, the
Commonwealth, the African Union, the Southern African Development Community
(SADC), the Common Market <strong>for</strong> eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), the Non-
Aligned Movement and the Francophonie, among others.
Port-Louis
Capital and main port of Mauritius, Port Louis was founded by the French Governor,
Mahe de Labourdonnais in 1735. The harbor lies sheltered in a semi-circle of mountains.
The city of Port Louis is the seat of the Government Administration and houses the
National Assembly and private sector offices. It is also the main commercial centre of
the island and it still reflects the vestiges of the French epoch by the architecture of
some particularly fine French colonial buildings, especially the Government House and
the municipal theatre.
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Weather and Climate
Mauritius has a maritime climate, tropical during summer and sub-tropical during winter.
The summer months extend from November to April and winter from June to September.
October and May are transition periods.
In the centre of the island, the temperature varies between 13oC (55oF) and 19oC
(66oF) in July-August and between 19oC (66oF) and 25oC (77oF) in January. Along the
coast, the temperature is about 5oC (41oF) higher, reaching an average of 30oC (86oF)
at mid-day in February.
Currency
The local currency is the Mauritian Rupee (MUR) divided into 100 cents. The
approximate rate of exchange is as follows:
US Dollar MUR 30.00
Pound Sterling MUR 47.00
Euro MUR 40.00
South African Rand MUR 4.00
Local banks will provide actual rates <strong>for</strong> financial transactions.
International Credit Cards are accepted in hotels, restaurants and shopping centres.
Electricity
The main voltage in Mauritius is 220 volts and electrical sockets are standard British
type.
Water
Potable water is supplied through a piped network in all parts of Mauritius. The water
meets international standards <strong>for</strong> safety.
Time
Mauritian time is four hours ahead of GMT
Languages
English is the official language. French is extensively used and Creole is widely spoken.
Asian Languages also <strong>for</strong>m part of the linguistic mosaic.
Shopping
Several shopping centres exist in the vicinity of the Conference Centre. Duty-free shops
intended <strong>for</strong> tourists offer a wide variety of products including ancient ship models,
jewellery, textiles and handicraft.
Places of Interest
Below is an indicative list of places which delegates may wish to visit while in
Mauritius:
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Port Louis; Domaine Les Pailles; Maison Eureka Creole; Sir Seewosagur Ramgoolam
Botanical Garden; Grand Bassin; Black River Gorges National Park; Chamarel (coloured
earth); Ile aux Cerfs; Domaine du chasseur and le Domaine de Ylang Ylang.
Need Other <strong>In<strong>for</strong>mation</strong>?
For in<strong>for</strong>mation concerning registration, program and agenda of the GFMD
2012 Summit Meeting, please contact:
GFMD Support Unit
15 Route des Morillons
1218 Le Grand Saconnex, Geneva
Tel: +4122 788 4946 / 47
Email: registration@gfmd.org
For in<strong>for</strong>mation on hotels and other ground support in Mauritius, please contact:
Mr. Soondiren Mootoo
Phone: +230 2012404
Mobile: +230 2519597
Fax: +230 2012701
E-mail: mmootoo@mail.gov.mu
We look <strong>for</strong>ward to welcoming you in Mauritius!
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