IOM-CSO Consultations 2015

The annual IOM-CSO Consultations aim to strengthen the mutual understanding and partnership between IOM and civil society. They serve as a platform to identify joint priorities, facilitate the exchange of best practices, and generate innovative solutions.  

Agenda

September 18, 2015

IOM-CSO Annual Consultations|Protecting and Positively Impacting Migrant Lives

1st Floor Conference Room, IOM HQ, Geneva

Agenda

Time

Program

8:30 – 09:00

Registration

9:00 – 09:15

Introductory Remarks William Lacy Swing,Director General,IOM

9:15 – 11:00

SESSION 1

Setting the scene: Comprehensive approaches to protecting and saving migrant lives

This session will explore comprehensive approaches to protecting and assisting migrants in life threatening situations, as are occurring within the context of mixed migration flows, such as the on-going crises in the Mediterranean and Yemen. It will also explore IOM support to the state-led Migrants in Countries in Crisis Initiative (MICIC) and IOM’s counter-smuggling activities.

• Jill Helke,Setting the scene,International Cooperation and Partnerships Department, IOM

• Kristina Touzenis,Overview of IOM’s Protection Policy,International Migration Law Unit

• Kathrine Starup,CSO perspective on mixed migration flows,Danish Refugee Council

• Monique Frison,IOM perspective on MICIC, MICIC Secretariat

• John Bingham,CSO perspective on MICIC,International Catholic Migration Commission

Discussion

Moderator

• Colin Rajah, Global Coalition on Migration

11:00 –11:30

Coffee Break

11:30 – 13:00

SESSION 2

Promoting migrant inclusion and integration

This session will examine how migrants play a central role in their own integration process, as well as how public perception of migrants strongly influences integration outcomes. Studies show that integration occurs increasingly at the local level, and that migrants’ abilities to develop strong social networks coupled with participation in the labour market along with robust anti-discrimination policies are critical indicators. IOM will draw from recent integration initiatives and share ongoing activities that promote the positive contributions of migrants through MCD’s latest projects which include perception change campaigns such as “I am a Migrant”/ “I am an Immigrant”.

• Saira Grant,CSO perspective,Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants

• Itayi Viriri,IOM perspective,Media and Communications Division

Discussion

Moderator

• Genevieve J. Gencianos, Public Services International

13:00 – 14:15

Lunch (1st floor Conference Room in main building)

14:15 – 15:45

SESSION 3

Migration and climate adaptation

The reality that climate change influences the movement of people calls for policy makers and civil society to acknowledge and act on new research insights. The upcoming December 2015 Paris climate change policy negotiations (UNFCCC COP21) should lead to the adoption of a universal, legally binding agreement aiming to combat climate change effectively. Thus, this session is very timely and will highlight the need for stakeholders from the public and private sectors, civil society, academia, and the migrants themselves to support the efforts. We will discuss the role of civil society in working on issues around human mobility and climate change and how intergovernmental actors and civil society can work together.

• Dina Ionesco,IOM perspective,Migration,Environment and Climate Change Division

• Alex Randall,CSO perspective,Climate Outreach & Information Network

Discussion

Moderator

• Meera Sethi, International Partnerships Division, IOM

15:45 – 16:00

Coffee Break

16:00 – 17:30

SESSION 4

Migration Futures

In this interactive session, participants will have the opportunity to think “outside of the box”, and based on both their experiences and imagination, create possible future migration scenarios. Engaging with these “migration futures” will allow us on the one hand to actively pursue and shape ideal future migration scenarios. On the other hand, envisioning worst case migration scenarios will guide us to come up with policies and other mechanisms to prevent them.

• Introduction to strategic foresight and scenario building by Beris Gwynne, World Vision International

• Break-out group work

• Reporting back and discussion

Moderator

• Beris Gwynne, Director, World Vision International, Geneva Office

17:30 – 17:45

Summary of Discussions and Way Forward Rapporteur

Moderator

• Melissa Pitotti, International Council of Voluntary Agencies

17:45 - 18:00

Concluding Remarks

Moderator

• IOM

18:00 – 19:00

Reception (1st floor Conference Room in main building)