themes
migration and
movements of people
Although 1 in every 35 people are now said to be international migrants, the issue of migration deeply divides public opinion between those who see it as "a blessing to the ageing populations and workforces of the advanced economies" and others who see it as "a gateway for criminality and social disintegration".
No nation is unaffected and it is therefore not surprising that the churches have identified the movement of peoples as a key focus for Churches Together in Britain and Ireland.
Hopes and fears
Is migration a source of hope or a basis for fear in our society? Who benefits from this geographic mobility and who has the most to lose?
Social impact
What are the effects of migration on the social structure and how is this played out at an international, national and local level? How are communities shaped by this phenomenon and how do they adapt?
Church response
As Christians how should we respond, both individually and within the church, to the challenges posed by migration?
This is one of three themes for which Churches Together in Britain and Ireland will be developing and providing resources. We explore these issues further in our introduction and many of the topics also relate to our other themes Culture, Identity and the Public Square and Environment and Climate Change.
