The increased mobility of peoples demands more than ever an openness to others

20. The movement of peoples, as previously stated, has accelerated in recent years for various reasons, which are often dramatic (wars, forced displacement, natural disasters, etc.). As the number of foreigners grows, some people become alarmed and demand, for instance, "zero immigration" laws, or indulge in still more violent forms of behaviour (cf. CR, Part II, n. 14). The Catholic Church is aware of these problems (cf. CR, Part IV, n. 29), and has always paid special attention to refugees, migrants and expatriates. The Pope, for example, dedicates an annual message to migrants and refugees. On every occasion, he seeks to encourage everyone, and especially Christians, to be generous in their welcome, particularly through positive actions such as family reunification, and to recognize that immigrants bring with them the riches of their culture, history and traditions (see among others the Holy Father's Message for World Day of Migrants 1992 "To welcome the stranger with the joy of one who can recognize in him the face of Christ", Insegnamenti, XV, 2 [1992], 80-84. In its conclusions, CERD remarks:  "The Committee notes with satisfaction that the laws and teachings of the Catholic Church promote tolerance, friendly co-existence and multiracial integration and that Pope John Paul II has, in a number of speeches, openly condemned all forms of racism, racial discrimination and xenophobia manifested through racial tensions and conflicts around the world" [n. 4]. See also the activity of the Pontifical Council for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerants, especially in the Holy See's Report to CERD, nn. 82 ff., see Note 16. In its conclusions CERD notes:  "The Committee expresses its appreciation for the contributions made by the Pontifical Council for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant People through, inter alia, declarations and programmes of action to promote non-discrimination against refugees and migrants in various parts of the world. In this context, the Committee notes the efforts undertaken by the State party to promote the rights of the Roma populations" [n. 7]). The local Churches, especially through the Episcopal Conferences, have not hesitated to enter into public debate in order to condemn racism and foster openness to immigrants (see for example the Message of the French Episcopal Commission on Migration to immigrants in France, published at a time when the movement towards a policy of "zero immigration" was in full swing, Nous avons besoin de vous [20 May 1993]:  Documentation catholique 2074 [1993], 569; the Message of the Japanese Bishops, Seeking the Kingdom of God which transcends differences of nationality, which addressed the increase of immigrants to Japan especially from poor countries and which encourages Christians to develop positive attitudes towards them. See also the documents published by the National Conference of Catholic Bishops in the U.S.A., such as Who are my brothers and sisters? A Catholic educational guide for understanding and welcoming immigrants and refugees, Washington, D. C., 1996, which is an educational programme for Catholic primary and secondary schools; and also Welcoming the stranger among us:  unity in diversity, Washington, D. C., 2001).