Migration Means Reinvention – Even to Olympian

Every Olympian, in their way, is a migrant—undertaking a life-changing journey towards their goal of athletic perfection.

Migrants and Refugees Must “Have the Right to Have Rights” Says Jazairy of Geneva Centre

During the 23rd International Humanitarian and Security Conference held from 15 to 16 February 2018 in Geneva - organized by Webster University with the support of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the Canton of Geneva - the Executive Director of the Geneva Centre for Human Rights Advancement and Global Dialogue (the Geneva Centre), Ambassador Idriss Jazairy called upon decision-makers in the West and in the Arab region to identify joint solutions to the migrant and refugee crisis.

Rohingya Children Draw Their Dreams: And It Looks Like Home…

When 10-year-old Ansarullah was asked to draw his dream and greatest wish, he drew a house. So did almost every other of the 25 Rohingya refugee children who took part in a recent drawing activity session run by IOM’s psychosocial support team in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh.

Geneva Centre ED Jazairy meets Grand Imam of Al-Azhar

In the wake of the Al-Azhar sponsored international conference on the situation in Jerusalem held from 17 to 18 January 2018 in Cairo, the Executive Director of the Geneva Centre for Human Rights Advancement and Global Dialogue (“the Geneva Centre”) Ambassador Idriss Jazairy was received in a private audience by the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar His Eminence Dr. Ahmed al-Tayeb.

World Migration: How Much Do You Know?

So how much do you really know about world migration? Watch this video that presents key numbers and facts about migration discussed in the World Migration Report (WMR) 2018. It also challenges misconceptions on migration often circulated in various media.

UAE offers US$500 million to international efforts to reconstruct Iraq

Dr. Anwar bin Mohammed Gargash, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, has announced the UAE’s offer to provide development aid worth US$500 million, to assist international efforts to reconstruct Iraq.

UAE participates in IFAD Governing Council’s meeting

The UAE has participated in the 41st session of the Governing Council of the International Fund for Agricultural Development, IFAD, in Rome, Italy, to discuss how investing in rural people in developing countries is central to building peace and stability around the world.

UAE to host COP13 meeting in Dubai

The UAE will host the 13th Meeting of the Conference of the Contracting Parties to the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands, COP13, in Dubai from 21st to 30th October 2018.

Life, Uncertain and Precarious

As you enter Balukhali refugee camp for the first time all you will notice is the amount of dust that clouds your vision, settling on your hair, clothes, seeping into your shoes and even finding its way into your mouth. Through the haze an unbelievable scene is unravelled. It is a humungous labyrinth of little shacks—blue, green, orange, creating a pattern on the crudely cut reddish hills, a pattern that is not aesthetically unpleasing. But these are grossly superficial impressions and incredibly deceptive as you will soon find out.

Equal citizenship rights is another name for peace: Idriss Jazairy, Geneva Human Rights Centre

During a panel intervention at the 3rdannual dialogue in commemoration of the 2018 World Interfaith Harmony Week held on 9 February at the United Nations Office at Geneva (UNOG)- organized by the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) and the Permanent Mission of Jordan to UN Geneva on 9 February at the United Nations Office at Geneva (UNOG), Idriss Jazairy, Executive Director of the Geneva Centre for Human Rights Advancement and Global Dialogue appealed to decision-makers and religious leaders to “find appropriate ways to denounce and bring an end to practices that hinder equal citizenship rights in their societies.”

UN Migration Agency Facilitates Release of Refugees from Indonesian Detention Centres

IOM, the UN Migration Agency, has facilitated the release of over 500 refugees from immigration detention centres in North Sumatra, Riau, and Riau Island provinces to community housing.

How It Feels to Survive Slavery: Ira’s story

“A client called at night and ordered a girl. I was sleeping when suddenly I was told to go to the client. He was already drunk and aggressive. I was scared to stay with him. He made me drink and I had to obey. You feel neither pain nor shame when you are drunk. Everything goes easier. I woke up in the morning and got ready to leave when he told me to stay. He told that he had paid for the whole day and I must work it off. The door was closed. He hid the door keys and my phone. He claimed that he had paid for my services and could do with me whatever he wanted… He fell asleep soon again. I didn’t find the keys. I thought I could exit through the window. It was the third floor and there was a fire escape ladder nearby. I decided to climb over the balcony to the ladder. And fell down… Everything happened very quickly. I felt no pain… I remember that I tried to stand up but couldn’t and saw my bones sticking out of my arms. I passed out. I came round in the ambulance. Later – only in the intensive care unit. There I told my name and where I came from. Doctors called my relatives. Later my family moved me back to Belarus. It was super expensive.”

Strengthening the Integrity and Transparency of Elections in the Age of Social Media

UNESCO and the Global Network Initiative (GNI)* are co-hosting a symposium that will examine ways to maximize the benefits of digital technology in enhancing the transparency and integrity of elections, on 8 February at UNESCO’s Headquarters (10 am to 1 pm, Room XI).

A New Home – Resettling Syrian Refugees to Canada

At the end of 2015, the Government of Canada requested the International Organization for Migration (IOM) to support the Prime Minister’s commitment to admit 25,000 Syrian refugees from the Middle East. IOM quickly deployed logistics and operational staff from around the globe to complete the humanitarian operation which spanned three months from December 2015 through February 2016.

Mohammed bin Rashid inspects progress of KhalifaSat project

Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum visited the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC) to inspect the progress of the KhalifaSat project. KhalifaSat is the first satellite to be fully built by Emirati engineers, an achievement that highlights the UAE’s growing expertise in satellite technology. The satellite is set to be launched later this year, following a series of rigorous tests.