Identifying particular issues surrounding the various kinds of
return migration and finding common and effective means to deal
with them will be the focus of an international gathering organized
by IOM in Geneva next week.

With every country in the world a country of origin, transit or
destination for migrants, ministers and representatives from
governments, academia, civil society and international
organizations attending the meeting on "Return Migration –
Challenges and Opportunities" on 21-22 April will tackle an aspect
of the migration phenomenon that is attracting increasing interest
from governments and policy makers.

Currently there are no accurate global estimates of migrants
returning home which includes the spontaneous return home of
migrants for either economic or personal reasons, return at the end
of temporary work abroad, forced or assisted voluntary returns of
irregular migrants and failed asylum seekers and the voluntary
repatriation and return of refugees and internally displaced
people.

With many of these migrants in a particularly vulnerable
situation, efforts to help them rebuild their lives necessitate a
range of responses underpinned by a commitment to the protection of
human rights.

The meeting, part of IOM's International Dialogue on Migration
which provides a forum for states and other stakeholders in the
migration world to exchange views and ideas to tackle pressing
global migration issues, is the first of two dedicated events
organized by IOM this year focusing on return migration.

"Return migration is an important part of the whole migration
cycle yet it is rarely approached in a holistic manner that can
find a balance between the sovereign right of States to determine
who can enter and stay on their territories, and ensuring that
migrants are treated in a safe and dignified manner," said Philippe
Boncour, head of IOM's International Dialogue on Migration. "IOM's
two-tiered focus on such an important aspect of migration will not
only give the subject the attention it deserves, but it can also be
an opportunity to find ways of ensuring safe and orderly return
migration and to overcome the many challenges surrounding the
issue."

A special side event on the first day organized by IOM, the
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, the Red Cross and
the Italian government on strengthening the reception capacities
for boat arrivals on the Italian islands of Lampedusa and Sicily,
will highlight the effectiveness of collaboration in dealing with
complex migration issues.

Empowering returnees to re-establish their lives and contribute
to the development of their country of origin, the role of
migration management tools such as multiple entry visas in
facilitating return for development, and ensuring longer-term
returns are sustainable will be some of the issues the second
Dialogue on "Enhancing the Role of Return Migration in Fostering
Development" will address in July 2008.

Next week's event at Geneva's International Conference Centre is
open to all media. For background papers and an agenda, please go
to: "http://www.iom.int/idmreturnmigration">http://www.iom.int/idmreturnmigration

For further information, please contact:

Jean Philippe Chauzy

IOM Geneva

Tel: + 41 22 717 9361/+41 79 285 4366

E-mail: "mailto:pchauzy@iom.int">pchauzy@iom.int

or

Jemini Pandya

Tel: +41 22 717 9486/+41 79 217 3374

E-mail: "mailto:jpandya@iom.int">jpandya@iom.int