The issue of migration is now topical in the Caribbean as regional security
authorities identify it as a major concern for the region.
The UN International Organisation on Migration (IOM) has announced a series of
discussions on the subject starting today (Wednesday, July 26).
“How can well-managed human mobility (described under SDG target 10.7)
accelerate progress towards the other Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in
the Caribbean?” This will be the over-arching theme of the first of a series of
virtual conversations taking place on Wednesday 26 July 2023 at 11 am Eastern
Caribbean Time,” an IOM media release asked.
It said the first episode of “Conversations on Migration in the Caribbean” will
feature IOM Deputy Director General of Operations, Ugochi Daniels, engaging
with three prominent guests representing the Migration Policy Institute, UN
Development Coordination Office, and the University of the West Indies,
discussing the Current Status and Trends of Migration in the Caribbean. The
virtual webinar will be live-streamed on IOM Caribbean social media, or for those
who want to engage with questions or comments, on ZOOM at this
link https://bit.ly/3Q1b4xy.
Ugochi Daniels is a senior manager in the global structure, in charge of the
Operations of IOM-UN Migration at the global level. She will be joined by three
panelists: Dr. Natasha Kay Mortley, Research Fellow at the Institute for Gender
and Development Studies – Regional Coordinating Office at the University of the
West Indies in Jamaica; Mr. Andrew Selee (PhD), President of the Migration
Policy Institute since 2017 and previous Executive Vice President of the Woodrow
Wilson Center; and Yolanda Durant-Mcklmon, Senior Regional Coordination
Officer and acting interim Team Leader acting, UN Development Coordination
Office for Latin America and the Caribbean.
The panelists will be expected to bring diverse perspectives to the conversation,
and the audience is asked to be free to share any comments or questions to be
considered for discussion.
This virtual event is the first public engagement initiative of the IOM Caribbean
office under its new Caribbean strategy (2023-2026). IOM is at a pivotal point in
its relationship with the Caribbean, and for the first time, the Organization has
developed a specific strategy to guide its work in the region until 2026, built on the
principles of good migration governance promoted through policy, partnerships,
and evidence-based communication. Recognizing the significance of the
celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Caribbean Community CARICOM in
July 2023, and the announcement of the intended implementation of full freedom
of movement within the CARICOM region by March 2024, IOM Caribbean will
use these conversations to create a forum for influential individuals and
representatives of vulnerable groups to engage in discussions on a range of issues
related to the phenomenon of migration in the Caribbean context.
IOM Caribbean plans to continue the Conversations, with the second episode of
this virtual series, to engage the Private Sector in Conversations on Migration in
the Caribbean in October 2023. For more information, contact the
Communications Officer, of IOM Caribbean at malleyne@iom.int or follow IOM
Caribbean on Facebook and Twitter for updated information.
