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IOM Today

An intergovernmental organization established in 1951, IOM is committed to the principle that humane and orderly migration benefits migrants and society.

  • 146 Members and 98 observers
  • More than 450 field locations
  • More than 7,800 staff working on more than 2,700 projects
  • More than US$ 1.3 billion expenditures in 2011

 Development of a Comprehensive 
 Manual on Migration Management 

Key Objectives

Establishing and sustaining a foundation for effective migration management is critical to realizing the positive potential of migration in our dynamic, and increasingly globalizing, mobile world. One of the key requirements for effective cooperation and policy-making in the area of migration management is a common level of understanding of the essential themes and issues involved. A number of IOM Member States came to IOM looking for a manual or guidebook that would provide this overview.

The objectives of this project are:

  • To enhance the understanding of contemporary migration issues, policies, dynamics and trends
  • To strengthen the capacity of governments to manage migration more effectively and assist migration policy makers and practitioners in the development of sound migration management policies and practices

Beneficiaries

  • Migration policy makers
  • Migration practitioners
  • Students and educators
  • Non-governmental organizations
  • International organizations
  • IOM staff

Concrete Benefits

  • Government policy-makers, practitioners, students, educators, NGO activists, other international organizations, and IOM staff have a common instructional and reference framework for study of migration concepts, policies and operational matters 
  • As a result of its user-friendly structure, these target groups can take advantage of the EMM through independent study or structured learning in a group setting

Project Description

The Essentials of Migration Management (EMM) is a learning tool written in a non-technical manner, which provides a snapshot of the key elements of international migration management.  It aims to provide an accurate, interactive framework of reference and instruction on contemporary migration issues, policies, dynamics and trends, and to help build the capacities of governments to manage migration more effectively.

"It is my sincere hope that this manual will be a welcome tool for migration practitioners and policy-makers worldwide in governments, inter-governmental and non-governmental organizations.  We look forward to working with you to identify ways to make the best use of this resource for training, capacity building, technical assistance and other learning needs you may have."

- Brunson McKinley, former IOM Director General

Organized in a curriculum format, with three volumes composed of 32 self-contained modules, the EMM is specially designed for self and group study. Each module includes:

  • learning objectives
  • case studies
  • a guide to applying the subject matter to specific situations, and
  • a list of relevant resource materials. 

The EMM presents the foundations, policies, practices, and current issues relating to international migration and the migration process:

  • Volume One begins with foundations
  • Volume Two develops policy ideas
  • Volume Three studies management practices and options at a more operational level. 

A companion Instructors' Guide was also produced, to support IOM staff and others in facilitating EMM-based training and capacity building sessions for target groups.

Since its production, the EMM has been translated into numerous languages (including Spanish, Russian and Arabic, with French and Korean in progress). 

The EMM is used worldwide as a training and capacity building tool.

Principal Activities

  • Production of 32 topical modules (comprising the EMM), written in a non-technical manner, on a variety of migration management issues
  • Production of a companion Instructors' Guide
  • Translation of the EMM and Instructors' Guide into various languages
  • Widespread dissemination of the EMM and Instructors' Guide
  • Utilization of the EMM and Instructors’ Guide in training and capacity building sessions around the world