- IOM launches migrant health program
New initiative from the Australian Government - Psycho-social workshop for CT workers from Ankara and Istanbul
Training on best practices for assistance to trafficked persons - Cross-border training for 157 Helpline
NGO La Strada Moldova returns for follow-up training with 157 operators - US Government funded CT program wraps up...
September marks close of Turkey’s first anti-trafficking program - ... As new project provides support to Turkey’s on-going CT efforts
NE Turkey focus for regional research on trafficking trends - IOM in the World
High Level Dialogue on Migration, New York, September 14-15, 2006
IOM launches migrant health program with support from Australian government
In November 2006, IOM will implement new routines for migrants and family reunification for settlement to Australia. A new directive from the Australian government will enable migrants to go through follow-up health screenings 72 hours prior to departure in the interest of individual and public health. A medical professional will join the IOM Ankara team to ensure the integrity of procedures and to liaise with Australian authorities regarding these cases. With growing awareness of the importance of migrant health, this initiative from the Australian government is aimed at providing improved access to medical care for a vulnerable population.
Psycho-social training for Counter-Trafficking workers
During 13-19 September, 2006 NGO Shelter staff from Ankara and Istanbul and IOM counter-trafficking staff will participate in an intensive training workshop aimed at sharing best practices on psycho-social assistance to trafficked persons. Part of the training will include a debriefing for counter-trafficking workers on how to negotiate conflict, avoid burnout, and develop counseling skills and better routines. The training will be conducted by Mr. Guglielmo Schinina, an international psycho-social expert with experience from the Balkans, Eastern Europe and post-conflict situations – most recently Lebanon.
La Strada Moldova to provide training for 157 operators
La Strada Moldova, part of an international NGO network, will provide a follow-up training for the 157 helpline operators between 26-29 September. The focus of this training is to assess how the objectives of the helpline are being met, how to ensure continual development and improved routines for dealing with SOS calls from trafficked persons, hotline counseling, data collection and data management. This is the second training conducted for 157 Turkey by La Strada and is an example of synergies that can be created through cross-border collaboration between countries of origin and destination.
Wrap-up of US Government funded counter-trafficking program…
September marks the close of Turkey’s first comprehensive counter-trafficking program to address prevention of trafficking, prosecution of traffickers and protection of victims. Beginning in 2005, the USD 600.000 USG funded program saw the establishment of the 157 Helpline and a second shelter for trafficked persons. More than 400 victims have been assisted in Turkey as a result of these efforts – since the helpline became operational 35% of rescues are coordinated through 157. A full briefing by IOM on counter-trafficking activities will take place on September 21st, 2006. Invitations will be sent separately to partners and stakeholders.
…As Norway and Sweden target North-Eastern Turkey in new CT project
As part of the new comprehensive counter-trafficking program funded by Norway and Sweden (through Sida), a researcher will be commissioned to conduct a rapid assessment of migration and human trafficking trends in the North eastern part of Turkey. The purpose of the study is to map trafficking trends and responses in order to identify pilot communities that can form the basis of an early warning system against human trafficking. Lessons learned here will be adapted for similar initiatives in other parts of Turkey.
UN High Level Dialogue on Migration, New York Sep. 14 - 15
The High Level Dialogue (HLD) will be the first time the subject of migration and development will be addressed at the UN at such a level and comes at a time when migration consistently tops the political, economic and social agendas across the world. The HLD participants will represent individual countries at a ministerial level. Minister of State Mehmet Aydin, together with his delegation will be representing Turkey. As part of the discussions surrounding different aspects of migration, on September 13th, the UN Regional Commissions and IOM will convene a meeting on the Regional Dimension on International Migration and Development. The meeting will focus on the relevance of the regional dimension for migration policies, management and the provision of effective capacity-building programmes. Both the UN Regional Commissions and IOM have long recognized the relevance of such regional dimension, including the role played by Regional Consultative Processes (RCPs). The panel will be moderated by IOM Director General Brunson McKinley with the participation of the Executive Secretaries of ESCAP, ESCWA and ECA. Ministerial level participants from regional organizations/processes are also expected.
