Enlightening young minds on migration crises: SLMUN 2018 simulates IOM
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) was established in 1951 and it is the leading intergovernmental organization in the field of migration. The IOM also works closely with governmental and non governmental partners. With 169 member states, a further 8 states holding observer status and officers in over 100 countries, the IOM is dedicated to promoting humane and orderly migration for the benefit of all. It does so by providing services and advice to governments and migrants.
IOM, which was initially known as the Provisional Intergovernmental Committee for the Movement of Migrants from Europe(PICMME), was born out of the chaos and displacement of Western Europe following the Second World War. It arranged transport for nearly a million migrants during the 1950’s. In 1952 the name of the organization changed from PICMME to the I n t e r g ove r nmental Committee for European Migration (ICEM) and after further changing its name to the Intergovernmental Committee for Migration( ICM) in 1980, it finally settled down with the International Organization for Migration in 1989, which reflects the transition of the organization over half a century from logistics agency to migration agency.
All the member countries have had migration issues where people are found either, trying to enter or leave the country’s borders. The IOM Constitution recognizes the right of freedom of movement and also the link between migration and economic, social and cultural development
IOM works in the four broad areas of migration management: Migration and development, Facilitating migration, Regulating migration and Forced migration. Gender dimension of migration, pro- tection of migrants’ rights, migration health, policy debate and guidance and the promotion of international migration law are the IOM activities that cut across these areas.
However, through SLMUN 2018, we wish to engage delegates in considering current challenges in managing migration, how socio-economics play a role in making an impact. SLMUN 2018 is targeting to achieve practical and fruitful debates where we strive to come up with solutions by taking into account the different policies ( migration policies) of these countries, the current situation of countries ( such as refugee issues) which would have an impact on the immigration process. Delegates in the IOM will be mainly focussing on climate migration and cross border disaster displacement and will also look into how to strengthen the cooperation between the IOM and civil society. To register up for SLMUN 2018, head over to www. slmun.org. Registrations are open until June 30th 2018.