IOM-CSO Consultations 2014

The annual IOM-CSO Consultations aim to strengthen the mutual understanding and partnership between IOM and civil society. They serve as a platform to identify joint priorities, facilitate the exchange of best practices, and generate innovative solutions.  

Agenda

9 October 2014
IOM-CSO Annual Consultations|Follow up to the 2013 HLD
4th Floor Conference Room, Annex, IOM HQ, Geneva

Final Agenda

• Time

• Program

09:00 – 09:30

Registrations

09:30 – 09:45

Introductory Remarks

• Ovais Sarmad, Chief of Staff, IOM

09:45 – 11:15

SESSION 1

The Integration of Migration into the post-2015 Development Agenda and the role of diaspora

The integration of migration into the post-2015 development agenda will ensure recognition of migrants as agents of development. From the on-going process, there are indications that the targets formulated will facilitate orderly, safe and regular migration and lower the cost of remittances. The connection of diaspora groups to the development of their countries and home communities will therefore be important for the implementation of the post-2015 development agenda. This session seeks to discuss perspectives on this process so far with a focus on the question of how mobilization of diasporas can be mainstreamed into development planning.

09:45 - 10:00

IOM perspective

• Jill Helke, IOM

10:00 - 10:15

CSO perspective

• John Bingham, ICMC

10:15 - 11:15

Discussion Moderator

• Lars Lonnback, IOM

11:15 –11:30

Coffee Break

11:30 – 13:00

SESSION 2

Reducing the Cost of Labour Migration

From the multilateral perspective, lowering the cost of migration has been identified as a priority by UN Member States during the 2013 High Level Dialogue on Migration and Development at the UN General Assembly, the Global Forum on Migration and Development and discussions relating to the post-2015 development agenda. These costs include recruitment fees, remittance transfer costs and other costs related to visa processing, transportation, and medical and criminality checks. This panel aims to focus on the first two components, exploring how regulatory and non-regulatory approaches can reduce the financial burden experienced by labour migrants and thereby reduce their vulnerability to exploitation and abuse.

11:30 - 11:50

CSO perspective

• Zuzanna Muskat-Gorska, ITUC

• Farhan Hassan, Somali Heritage Academic Network

11:50 - 12:00

IOM perspective

• Tauhid Pasha, IOM

12:00 - 13:00

Discussion Moderator

• Patrick Taran, Global Migration Policy Associates

13:00 – 14:00

Lunch (1st floor Conference Room in main building)

14:00 – 15:30

SESSION 3

Improving the Global Public Perception of Migrants

This session will showcase a number of innovative initiatives designed to address the positive contribution of migrants, including a project implemented in Poland (Migrants’ Rights in Action)as well as Plural Plus, which invites youth to address key challenges related to social inclusion and cohesion, respect for identity and diversity, and human rights through video. Additionally, IOM’s Contribution of Migrants campaign is part of a Swiss-wide tour by a customized bus. Another IOM campaign, #MigrationMeans, raises awareness on the positive impact of migration and so far has received over 5,000 posts on our social media channels. Finally, IOM’s Missing Migrants Project is the first global count of migrants who died while seeking to pass international borders. This project draws attention to the human tragedy on our borders.

14:00 - 14:30

IOM perspective

• Pindie Stephen, IOM

• Leonard Doyle, IOM

14:30 - 15:00

CSO perspective

• Maria Giovanna Manieri, PICUM

• Reverend Mussie Zerai, Agenzia Habeshia

15:00 - 15:30

Discussion Moderator

• Robert Glasser, Secretary General, CARE International

15:30 – 15:45

Coffee Break

15:45 – 17:15

SESSION 4

Immigration Detention and Beyond

This session seeks to discuss the critical issues related to immigration detention. It will, among others, focus on alternatives and non-custodial measures of detention, health issues of migrants and staff, migrant children in detention and improving conditions in immigration detention facilities. The session will present some case studies and examples of good practices from different parts of the world.

15:45 – 16:00

CSO perspective

• Ben Lewis, IDC

16:00 – 16:15

IOM perspective

• Kristina Touzenis, IOM

16:15 – 17:15

Discussion Moderator

• Beris Gwynne, World Vision International

17:15 – 17:30

Summary of Discussions and Way Forward Rapporteur

• Melissa Pitotti, ICVA

17:30 - 17:45

Concluding Remarks

• Ovais Sarmad, Chief of Staff, IOM

17:45 – 19:00

Reception (1st floor Conference Room in main building)

Final Report on the 2014 IOM-CSO Consultations