IOM strengthens regional dialogue on migration with civil society organizations

Guatemala City – The Regional Network of Civil Society Organizations for Migration (RROCM) met on September 19-21 for an internal planning workshop regarding the support that civil society can provide to the next presidency of the Regional Conference on Migration (RCM), which will be held by Guatemala.

“This planning meeting has an additional element of interest for the RRCOM because, in addition to marking the continuity of its work with the RCM regarding migration issues in the region, for the first time we have the opportunity to collaborate and participate in the development of the annual RCM action plan, together with the incoming presidency” highlighted Vinicio Sandoval, Technical Secretary of the RRCOM. “This represents an important step in the dialog between governments, civil society, and international observers.”

This meeting had technical and financial support from the International Organization for Migration (IOM) through the Mesoamerica Program, in which more than 10 representatives of member countries of the RRCOM participated.

Dialogue between states, civil society organizations, and international bodies is an essential tool for a comprehensive and effective approach to migration, as well as for the benefit of migrants.

The RRCOM is a network of civil society organizations from 11 countries: Canada, the United States, Mexico, Guatemala, Belize, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama, and the Dominican Republic. This network resulted from the need to create a united front capable of dialoging with States in the region.

“IOM recognizes the role and fundamental importance of cooperation between all key stakeholders, and there is no doubt that civil society is an influential stakeholder for promoting regular, safe, and orderly migration in the region,” emphasized Alexandra Bonnie, Coordinator of the Mesoamerica Program.

Additionally, this meeting enabled the analysis of labor migration flows in the region, as well as an exchange of experiences, including best practices and lessons learnt which can be replicated in other countries. Likewise, it enabled coordination with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Guatemala regarding topics of interest for the 2019 work plan.

For more information, please contact: Alexandra Bonnie, Coordinator of the Mesoamerica Regional Program of IOM: abonnie@iom.int