Themes
There are no set themes for International Migrants Day, although a number of threads run through it, especially
~ migrants have human rights, regardless of their status
~ migrant voices need to be heard more clearly in the mainstream media
~ migration is a complex issue and we should be rigorous about not over-simplifying it
~ migration has a long history and is nothing new
~ we need migrants
~ the majority of migrants do not travel far from their homeland 

Your radio contributions can be light-hearted or serious or thought-provoking or celebratory. They can discuss wider issues or individual, local stories. Suggestions:
~ learning the language
~ coming for a short while then going home - or not
~ local waves of migration - who, where from, when, why etc?
~ loneliness and alienation - far from home - "not what we expected"
~ cultural influences working both ways
~ education - for the new life and so as not to lose the old
~ stereotypes and how to get beyond them

Links to useful resources

• Radio 1812 - thematic briefings on migration - these include articles and references on women in migration, 'circular migration' and media and migration
   

• Stalker's Guide to International Migration - informative website from Oxford-based writer Peter Stalker, whose book "The No-Nonsense Guide to International Migration" was published by New Internationalist in 2008
   

• Migration was the theme of the 2009 Human Development Report from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) - click here for the press info and summary

Ideas
Taking part in Radio 1812 needn't involve a lot of extra work - it can be just as meaningful and effective to include your contribution in your normal schedule or activities. You could:

• invite a guest (or several) on one of your regular shows to talk about migrant issues in your area, or to tell their story/ies
   

• play the Radio 1812 jingle, or an adapted version of your own, throughout the day on Friday 18th December, on air or via your website, with a link to Radio 1812 - click here to listen to/download the jingle from the Radio 1812 website
   

• pre-record a short item (or several) and share it via one of the audio sharing websites (the main Radio 1812 site or the Radio 1812 UK network). Tip: make sure your credits are there for all to see.
   

• play some of the items available from this website, from the main Radio 1812 website or from the Radio 1812 UK network
   

• sign up on the main Radio 1812 website to put your station or project on the global map.

Click here for the introduction and list of stations taking part
Click here for the schedule of live programmes from this website
Click here for audio to share