Awareness Raising

Raising awareness on safe and regular migration is one of the pillars of the Joint Initiative. Its aim is not only to inform audiences about the risks of irregular migration but also to provide information on regular migration options and to promote social cohesion between returned migrants and their communities, and current migrants and their host communities.

In partnership with the European Union, IOM’s awareness raising activities seek to build an environment where information can be more easily shared and accepted. One of IOM’s strengths lies in its relations with returnees, local leaders and community members. These relationships are based on trust and listening and have solidified over the years through the participatory approach adopted by IOM. Returned migrants, through their experiences, bring a real dimension to awareness raising. Local leaders support activities by building trust to facilitate two-way communication. Communities are directly involved as key players in both the design and implementation of activities.

IOM’s awareness raising activities are designed for specific audiences, including young people considering migration. Awareness raising activities are built around four key elements: people, innovation, inclusivity and partnership.  

Activities

IOM’s activities ensure that migrants and potential migrants can make informed and free migration-related decisions. Activities are innovative and leverage social networks, gamification, sport and the arts. All activities are adapted to the specific audience and context and keep a participation at the heart.  For example:

  • Games provide young people with opportunities for deeper learning;
  • Sport can strengthen social cohesion between migrants, returnees and host communities;
  • Theatre can capture the public’s attention and kick start conversations on difficult topics; and
  • Public art projects can be a vector for change, inspiring interaction between diverse participants and conversations around local development.
Partnerships

Involving communities in migration-related conversations opens communication channels to encourage dialogue on the push factors of migration, and the role communities can play in encouraging informed decision making around migration. IOM partners with government entities, the private sector and civil society organizations to advocate for safe migration at the individual, community and societal level. Partnerships with local actors lead to efficient use of resources and helps ensure that awareness raising activities are sustainable beyond the EU-IOM Joint Initiative.

  • IOM partners with schools and youth associations, to engage young people on the issue of migration;
  • IOM works closely with returned migrants, supporting them to share their first-hand experience of migration;
  • Working with artists, influencers, and others who inspire trust, IOM supports them to learn about migration-related issues and share what they learn with their fans and followers.

 

Useful links

 

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EU-IOM Joint Initiative Brochure
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