Dialogue Examines the Multifaceted Impact of Migration on Societies and Identities
The complex impact of migration on societies and identities will be
the focus of IOM's International Dialogue on Migration, which opens
on 19 July at the Geneva International Conference Centre (CICG).
IOM Director General William Lacy Swing will open the two-day
event, which will bring together a wide range of speakers from
governments, civil society, academia and the private sector, to
examine how migration drives socio-cultural transformations in both
home and host countries and can trigger successful
partnerships at local and international level.
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Participants will also discuss the complex interactions of
migrants with societies with a view to identify effective practices
to maximize their positive societal contributions. The
discussion will touch upon sensitive issues, such as the
misperceptions of migrants and migration and the necessary support
to migrants and their families left behind.
The workshop will provide IOM Member States and Observers with
an opportunity to discuss the numerous and often intricate social
consequences of migration, including efforts to promote more
balanced approaches in host societies.
"Migration is a catalyst for change and development – it
has the potential to enrich not only the economies, but more
importantly perhaps the culture and societies of both countries of
origin and destination," says IOM's Philippe Boncour. "For example,
while financial remittances are now widely recognized as a product
of migration, social remittances, including the transfer of ideas,
behaviours, identities and social capital, have received much less
attention."
Participants will review efforts by policymakers, civil society
and the media to break common migration myths and effective
practices to fight racism and xenophobia against migrants.
The IOM and the UN Alliance of Civilizations have launched an
online dialogue to promote discussion of the complex impact of
migration on Societies and Identities. The dialogue, which is
also monitored by the two organizations, forms an integral part of
IOM's International Dialogue on Migration.
The online forum is open to all who wish to share their
experiences of migration and integration. To register online for
the virtual dialogue, please go to:
The workshop on "Societies and Identities: The Multifaceted
Impact of Migration" is being held in the framework of IOM's
International Dialogue on Migration, which focuses this year
on the overall theme of "Migration and Social Change", a
theme which has been selected by the membership to guide the debate
in 2010.
Information on IOM's International Dialogue on Migration is
available in English, Spanish and French at:
"http://www.iom.int/idmsocieties">www.iom.int/idmsocieties
"http://www.iom.int/idmsocieties/lang/fr">www.iom.int/idmsocieties/lang/fr
"http://www.iom.int/idmsocieties/lang/es">www.iom.int/idmsocieties/lang/es
For more information, please contact:
Philippe Boncour
IOM Geneva
Tel: +41 22 717 9264
E-mail:
"mailto:pboncour@iom.int">pboncour@iom.int