EU-IOM Joint Initiative

for Migrant Protection and Reintegration

Nairobi - Migration governance requires quality and harmonised migration data if it is to support evidence-based strategies. To this end, the International Organization for Migration (IOM)’s Regional Data Hub for East and Horn of Africa has teamed up with the organisation’s Global Migration Data Analysis Centre (GMDAC) to launch an online course.

The offering, 'Introductory Course to Migration Data in Africa', was developed during the COVID-19 pandemic as part of a greater initiative to build capacity in National Statistical Offices (NSOs) and also for migration data stakeholders. It is intended for mid and senior-level officials directly involved in the planning, design or management of migration data. However, the course could also be of interest to those working on related topics.

The course is hosted on the E-Campus Platform, the learning platform developed by IOM and is accessible by external audiences. It is free and currently features a variety of other courses in Spanish, English, French, Italian and Arabic.

There are three modules in the migration data course.

The first module focuses on key concepts, definitions and sources of migration data. It addresses migration-related UN Sustainable Development Goals, together with the African Union Migration policy framework, as well as data innovation and strategies for the dissemination of migration data. 

The second module has a strong focus on migration data development in the East and Horn of Africa. It concentrates on best practices in collecting, sharing and harmonising migration data at the national and regional levels, and highlights migration data initiatives of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD). 

Module 3 provides an in-depth focus on migration data from traditional sources, such as national population censuses, dedicated migration surveys and administrative records. 

All modules include short testimonial videos from migration data experts and practitioners. As a self-paced e-learning exercise, learners can self-assess their understanding through built-in questions.

A certificate of completion will be issued by IOM to all participants who successfully complete the course. 

The development of the course was made possible through the support of the United States Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration (PRM), the EU-IOM Joint Initiative for Migrant Protection and Reintegration in the Horn of Africa, and the German Federal Ministry of the Interior, Building and Community (BMI).

About the EU-IOM Joint Initiative

Launched in December 2016 and funded by the European Union (EU) Emergency Trust Fund for Africa, the programme brings together 26 African countries of the Sahel and Lake Chad region, the Horn of Africa, and North Africa, the EU and IOM around the goal of ensuring that migration is safer, more informed and better governed for both migrants and their communities.

The Regional Data Hub for East and Horn of Africa was established in early 2018 and is largely funded through the EU-IOM Joint Initiative. More information about RDH can be found here: https://ronairobi.iom.int/regional-data-hub-rdh

For more information please contact the IOM Regional Office in Nairobi: Julia Hartlieb, Email: jhartlieb@iom.int; Najma Hussein, Email: nhussein@iom.int or Wilson Johwa, Email: wjohwa@iom.int