Switzerland - IOM will host a two-day workshop that aims to give a greater consideration to the link between migration and families and to the patterns of this key trend of global mobility. “Migration and Families”, which will open on 7^th October at the Geneva International Conference Centre (CICG), will be the second in a series of two workshops under this year’s theme, as selected by IOM’s Member States: “Human mobility and development: Emerging trends and new opportunities for partnerships”.

The first workshop, earlier this year in March, was on “South-South migration: Partnering strategically for development”.

Studies show that family migration represents one of the main channels of entry for migrants and that migrant families greatly contribute to the development of origin and destination countries through their human, cultural and economic potential.  However, the reality of migration today poses also other serious challenges to families and their members.

The significant number of transnational families created by increased human mobility requires particular attention to the key role that these families play in the development of all the countries and communities. 

One in every eight international migrants is a young migrant.  The potential this group holds for development is tremendous. Through the multiple roles they occupy in the migration process – alone, with families, remaining at home – they all share a unique power to bridge developmental gaps in ageing societies while contributing to their home communities.

However, the challenges faced by this group may impede their contribution to the human and economic development. The vulnerabilities and needs of young migrants call for the legislation and policies to address their protection, support and awareness of youth impacted by migration and their rights.

Moreover, the challenges children confront in the process of migration require particular attention. Evidence shows that the number of unaccompanied or separated children is on the rise and that children are often unable to claim their fundamental human rights in places of immigration detention.

This week’s workshop will feature a keynote address by the Minister of Women of the Republic of Paraguay, Ana Maria Baiardi Quesnel; a “Migrant Voice” session featuring a young migrant and a representative of an association working with women migrants in Bangladesh; and the presentation of a photography project on families and children left behind in Moldova presented by Andreas Diefenbach, an international recognized photographer.

The Centre International de Conférences Genève is at 17 rue de Varembé CH - 1211 Genève 20, Tel: +41 22 791 91 11

For the IDM agenda and background documents, please go to http://www.iom.int/cms/idmmigrationandfamilies

For more information, please contact

Samri Azzouz
IOM Geneva
Email: asamri@iom.int
Tel: +41.22.717.9468, +41.79.442.5228