GLOBAL CONSULAR FORUM

THE CONCEPT OF “GLOBAL CITIZEN” IS BECOMING A REALITY AND THE COMPLEXITY OF THIS TREND BRINGS MORE PRESSURES AND NEW CHALLENGES FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS DEPARTMENTS AROUND THE WORLD.

OVERVIEW OF THE FORUM

In a context of globalization, open markets and communications revolution, more and more people are choosing to visit, work or live outside their country of origin.
Since the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations came into being in 1963, national co nsular services have had to adapt and innovate, developing new business lines, practices and responses to meet contemporary challenges.

The Global Consular Forum (GCF) is an initiative aimed at fostering increased international engagement and understanding of current consular policy and practice issues and encourage greater cooperation and partnership in the field of consular and emergency management services. Representatives of the 35 country members of the Forum are engaged to discuss contemporary consular issues including emergency management, vulnerable clients such as children, families, person suffering from a mental illness and clients under arrest or detention, migrant workers and the international workforce, the development of model consular practice guidelines, and the promotion of a safe travel culture. As a community of practitioner, consular policy development and senior decision-makers in the field of consular and emergency management services, they actively seek to develop a dialogue and explore partnership opportunities with stakeholders for the travel and tourism industry, the health, insurance and telecommunications sectors, as well as with academic experts, NGOs representatives and relevant international organizations officials.

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