The IOM Moscow Times International Organization for Migration Moscow, Russia Issue 27, December, 2012 12, 2 aya Zvenigorodskaya, 123100, Moscow Tel 7 (495) 797 87 22 Fax 7 (499) 253 35 22 iommoscow@iom.int, www.iom.int INSIDE THE ISSUE: What kind of Migration Museum is needed in Moscow Project: Support to implementation of the EU readmission agreements with the Republic of Moldova, The Russian Federation and Ukraine Central Asian Regional Migration Programme Preventing and Counter Acting Trafficking in Human Beings in the Russian Federation Migration Health Moscow Programme on cultural orientation Moscow migrants processing and movements WHAT KIND OF MIGRATION MUSEUM IS NEEDED IN MOSCOW? On the 18 th of December 2012 on the International Migrants Day the Bureau of the International Organization for Migration in Moscow, UNHCR, Ethnology Project, the Project Museum of Migration in Moscow and the Center of Migration Studies in cooperation with the Union of Journalists of Russia held a round table What kind of Migration Museum is needed in Moscow? The event took place in the Central House of Journalists. The following issues were discussed: How can the Migration Museum in Moscow help better understand the problems of migration and migration processes; Possibilities to change the public opinion to migrant workers through the artistic perception; Forms of educational activities; Improvement of professional level of specialists, working with various groups of migrants; Popularization of the academic researches results (past, simple and future through the prism of migration); First steps: establishment of the website of Migration Museum in Moscow and organization of series of exhibitions related to migration and migrants. The meeting was opened by the Director of the Center of Migration Studies who believed that the Migration Museum would draw attention to the migration through variety of the forms of perception and would reach public at large including young people and specialists. It will highlight the role of migration in the history of Russia. Haim Sokol independent artist made a statement about the artistic vision of migration in Russia and abroad. In his opinion, the most interesting works on migration created by modern artists are based on a combination of three elements: solidarity, internationalism and equality. Representative of UNHCR appealed not to forget about refugees as one of the most vulnerable categories of migrants. She told about quite a number of thematic art competitions organized by UNHCR. The representatives of the Bureau of IOM in Moscow made a presentation about international Museums of Migration through the example of such museums in Australia, UK, Germany, Denmark, Israel, Spain, Canada, Sweden and France. Senior researcher at the Russian Institute of Cultural Studies, leading expert of the Project «Ethnology» told about rapid development in the past two decades of a new type of ethnic museums that widely use multimedia interactivity, live interaction. In his opinion, the fact that such museums became the centers for intercultural dialogues aroused interest to modern ethnic museums. The general discussion started with the attempt to answer the question what kind of migration museum is needed in Moscow. The Director of the Museum of Friendship of Nations shared his experience in creation of the museum. The Head of public organization Assistance, Cooperation, Creation believes that the museum will integrate cultures of different nationals and help bringing back good neighbour relations. Through the heated discussions the participants expressed hope that the Migrants Museum would help reducing the The IOM Moscow Times, Issue 27 1
level of xenophobia and migration phobia both in Moscow and in Russia as a whole. PROJECT: SUPPORT TO IMPLEMENTATION OF THE EU READMISSION AGREEMENTS WITH THE REPUBLIC OF MOLDOVA, THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION AND UKRAINE: FACILITATION OF ASSISTED VOLUNTARY RETURN AND REINTEGRATION (SIREADA) Study visits to European Union In September and December representatives of migration authorities from Russia, Moldova and Ukraine got acquainted with EU best practices in migration sphere during study trips to the Netherlands and Belgium. During meetings and discussions with representatives of the Repatriation and Departure Service of the Netherlands, the Immigration and naturalization Service of the Netherlands and IOM the Hague the participants enhanced their understanding of migration management approaches, regulation of voluntary return, including from detention, as well as human rights based approaches in development and implementation of state migration policies. Participants of the visit to Belgium, December 2012 During the meetings with representatives of Belgium Federal Agency for the Reception of Asylum Seekers (FEDASIL HQ) and Belgium Immigration Office as well as IOM Brussels the participants were sensitized to the Belgian Assisted Voluntary Return and Reintegration policy and vision. Through meeting with the Head of the Voluntary Return Cell, FEDASIL, the following issues were highlighted: the reception of asylum seekers, rejected asylum seekers and irregular migrants residing in the reception structures. Also the delegation had an opportunity to visit and get acquainted with work of the FEDASIL reception center for asylum seekers, as well as the Immigration Office Closed facility for irregular migrants. Also in December, the representatives of the Federal Migration Service took part in a thematic study visit to the Migrant Accommodation Centre in Przemysl, Poland. During the visit the delegation got acquainted with the procedure and the rules of placing foreigners in the guarded center, their rights and responsibilities, as well as the social conditions of detention. There was also the possibility of a detailed discussion on the issues of practical operation of the center with its management team. Participants of the visit to the Netherlands, September 2012 Tolerated stay, and other statuses that are applicable to irregular migrants who cannot be returned for objective reasons, was of particular interest to all the participants. During the visits to Migrant Accommodation Centres the participants had a chance to get practical information from their Dutch colleagues. The participants were particularly impressed by so called case management system that insures personalized communication between the case worker and the migrant and needs tailored support in the preparation of the return. Training on Cultural Orientation for the staff of readmission center On October 24 25, 2012 IOM Moscow in close cooperation with the FMS of Russia conducted a training seminar for personnel of Readmission Centre Bolshevo, as well as for other relevant migration officials from Moscow and Moscow region competent in readmission. During the event the participants were given possibility to study best European readmission practices both on forced removal procedures and on operational management of different types of detention facilities with particular focus on Cultural Orientation issues. The IOM Moscow Times, Issue 27 2
The training was successfully run through by European expert from Polish Border Guard Mr. M. Osetek, Director of Migrant Accommodation Center in Przemysl. The expert easily came to terms with the participants of the training what came in handy for better experience sharing with Russian colleagues. This in turn allowed addressing a greater number of practical issues brought up during the training and made for deep involvement of the participants. The training was attended by 37 Russian migration officials who upon the event s completion were rewarded with certificates. The attendees rated the training as highly interesting, fruitful and valuable. The overall opinion expressed in the end of the event was to keep on conducting such trainings periodically to get Russian readmission centres staff abreast of the EU best practices on detention facilities management, new approaches and international standards in this particular sphere. CENTRAL ASIA REGIONAL MIGRATION PROGRAMME Tajik Russian phrasebook presentation On the 13 th of November, 2012 in the Moscow House of Nationalities the Bureau of IOM in Moscow organized a presentation of Tajik Russian phrasebook. In October, 2012 IOM Moscow in cooperation with Moscow Centre for Cross Cultural Education Etnosfera published Tajik Russian phrasebook. The new phrasebook was developed in the framework of CARM Programme in Central Asia and Russia. Tatiana Shorina and Tatiana Feoksitova, the authors, told about their work on the phrasebook, about challenges they faced. IOM Counselor of Moscow Information Center for labor migrants told about collaboration with the Tajik focus groups, testing contents of the phrasebook. Representatives of the FMS of Russia, The Delegation of Tajikistan Migration Service in Russia, NGOs and international organizations working in the field of education and integration of migrants in Russia, representatives of mass media took part in the presentation. The purpose of the phrasebook is to promote a better adaptation of Tajik citizens in the new cultural environment, to facilitate communication during stay and work in Russia. Language skills are the foundation of effective communication, making the process of search for information and preparation of necessary documents easier. In the phrase book one can find words and expressions which are needed in a variety of everyday situations: at store, at coffee shop, at bank, at hospital, in the street, on public transport, for filling out of various documents, or for job search. The phrasebook is divided into few sections: "Introduction and communication", "Employment and work in Russia," "Shopping and Services" "Housing, education and leisure," etc. In each of the thematic section, material is divided into two columns: on the left the words and phrases in the Tajik language, in the right their translation into Russian. In some complex cases, the Russian words and phrases are supplemented with transcription. Free master classes on the art of photography for migrant students. In November 2012 the Embassy of the Kyrgyz Republic in the Russian Federation jointly with the Bureau of International Organization for Migration in Moscow and the Foundation for Support of Documentary Photography on the territory of former USSR organized a free workshop on photography for foreign students from Central Asia countries. The workshop trainer Oleg Klimov, a documentary photographer, the Chairman of the Foundation for Support of the Documentary Photography on the territory of former USSR Liberty.su, conducted theoretical and practical express course on photo art for migrant students, studying in Moscow. More than 30 students from different Moscow Universities, such as REA Plekhanova, State University of Management, Bauman MSTU, Sholokhov Moscow State University and also Military University of the Ministry of Defense in the RF took part in master classes. The IOM Moscow Times, Issue 27 3
law enforcement bodies of the CSTO Member States engaged in combating human trafficking; representatives of competent statutory bodies and bodies of sectoral cooperation in the Commonwealth of Independent States; the Eurasian Economic Community; relevant entities of the United Nations; the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe; Collective Security Treaty Organization, the Department of Defense and the Department of Justice of the United States. This publication raises issues of improving cooperation between the competent bodies of international global and regional organizations in combating human trafficking. Electronic copy of publication is available at IOM Moscow web page Books on Counter Trafficking section. The main purposes of the master classes were to encourage creativity of foreign students, providing additional professional skills in the sphere of art as well as to promote tolerance through photographic artistic reflection of urban landscape and life of Muscovites. The training course on the whole consisted of theoretical and practical classes. Master classes were conducted in a friendly atmosphere; all the participants got acquainted with each other, took active part in discussions and asked questions they were interested in. After each class all the students got their homework in the frame of the given theme: Big City for All. The most successful photos made by migrant students, chosen by the trainer, were published in several printed and electronic editions, and the information about the event is available on the website http://journal.liberty.su/notes/nurzhannat/?utm_source=rs s&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=nurzhannat Voluntary Return and assistance to victims of trafficking During period of September December 2012 IOM Moscow continued its activities on assisting people in difficult life situations related to human trafficking. Assistance and voluntary returned to their homelands were provided in cooperation with Russian Government and the respective IOM missions. Beneficiaries of this activity were citizens of Russian Federation, Republic of Tajikistan, Republic of Uzbekistan, Republic of Kazakhstan and Ukraine. PREVENTING AND COUNTER ACTING TRAFFICKING IN HUMAN BEINGS IN THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION Publication of international round table materials During the period from September to October 2012 IOM office in Moscow within the project Preventing and Counter Acting Trafficking in Human Beings in the Russian Federation published brochures (in English and Russian) containing the materials borrowed from the international round table Enhancement of Cooperation Amongst Competent Bodies of International Global and Regional Organizations in Combating Human Trafficking. This publication brought together statements of the heads of MIGRATION HEALTH During the period from September to December 2012 the Migration Health Division (MHD) continued providing health assistance to mobile populations paying special attention to development of migrant targeted approach in clinical practice under Health Assessment Sector and exploration of prospects for future assistance to migrant beneficiaries through cross section activities and building partnership in health. IOM Moscow was identified by Medical Branch, CIC as a training facility for deployment of a specially designed web platform, which will be the new standard for all health assessments of visa applicants. The innovative approach allows expedite delivery of medical results and, therefore, fast processing of IOM beneficiaries. IOM plans to provide The IOM Moscow Times, Issue 27 4
training and technical assistance to 9 Panel Physician sites in the Russian Federation. During the reporting period the MHD has performed: 2494 medical exams. 4 medical escorts were dispatched to assist 3 movements from Moscow and 1 from Dushanbe to various destinations in US. 3 professional escorts assisted returning migrant arriving in Armenia and Kazakhstan under AVR programmes to their home locations Kostanay, Ust Kamenogorsk, Yerevan. During September November 2012 evaluation of HIV preand post counseling practice at IOM clinic in Moscow was completed. The purpose, which incorporated both establishing client centered culture appropriate counseling and advance information delivery, was examined and practical conclusions drawn. HIV pre and post test counseling algorithm was adjusted for the needs of migrant population undergoing testing in IOM. Information Letter was developed as a main practical tool for IOM Migration health physicians. Assistance of psychiatrist contributes the assistance to address handling extreme emotional reactions at post testing stage for HIV positive clients. MHD participation in health related activities, events, trainings and experience sharing exercises. In September MHD took part in the joint meeting organized by American International Health Alliance on educational programs in the field of tuberculosis and HIV. The participants were familiarized with two postgraduate courses: Actual issues of TB diagnostics and treatment and TB laboratory diagnostics. Representative of MHD participated in discussion and shared information on health education and TB prevention among IOM clients. In the middle of September IOM Health Assessment Programme (HAP) Summit 2012 held in Colombo, Sri Lanka, and hosted by our MHD colleagues in the IOM Sri Lanka mission was a noticeable event bringing forward the issues of standardization and quality of health operations, developing client friendly and cost effective services. Attendance of the forum by Governments representatives from destination countries ensured important feedback from migrant receiving communities and donors and joint efforts in enhancement of disease control and prevention 5th Expert Group Meeting on HIV/AIDS and Associated Infections within Northern Dimension Partnership for Health and Social Wellbeing (NDPHS) took place in Sopot, Poland (8 10 October 2012) to exchange views and refine strategy on prevention, treatment and addressing social aspects of HIV, AIDS, other infections including TB: http://www.ndphs.org/?mtgs,hiv aids&ai_5 sopot Migrants were identified as a priority group among vulnerable populations and captured attention of specialists participating in the professional forum. Mobile populations were considered as a target for health intervention in the countries within the Northern Dimension Partnership and for specific area designed initiatives. IOM representative from Moscow team attended to the meeting and updated the Expert Group on IOM recent developments and results. MHD representative participated in the first Meeting of the European Tuberculosis Laboratory Initiative Core Group which took place at the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, the Netherlands (15 16 October 2012), and picked up actual information on TB laboratory diagnostics. The presentations (pdf format) and group photo of the meeting are available on the RIVM website: www.tuberculosis.rivm.nl On last days of October and first ones of November MHD representatives participated in Canadian e Medical Training (Paris) and MiMOSA Web Wave 5 Training (Kiev ). IOM took part in NGO Forum (Saint Petersburg) organized with participation of the NDPHS Expert Group on HIV/AIDS and associated infections in 22 23 November. Tendencies, challenges and strategic views on HIV and tuberculosis epidemiological situation in Baltic Sea Region including North West Russia as well NGOs current working on combating HIV and TB were presented. Dr. Ali Arsalo, Chair, NDPHS Expert Group on HIV/AIDS and associated infections gave an introduction into work in small groups aimed at preparing of the Strategic Plan of NDPHS expert group on HIV/AIDS and associated infections. In the end of November IOM took part in the meeting of the Country Coordination Mechanism (CCM) for countering with HIV/AIDS & TB epidemics at the EU representative office in Russian Federation. The main questions of the agenda were devoted to using best practices from the Global Fund programs implemented in Russian health care institutions and NGO as well discussing of materials for a CCM brochure planed. 29 November IOM took part in the Round table at the Research Institute for Occupational Health of Russian Academy of Medical Sciences and made a presentation Health Assessments of Migrants, Global Practice, which was taken very positively and triggered much interest towards collaboration with MHD on developing methodology on health assessment of Labor Migrants in Russian Federation, further professional discussions are in agenda. Chief Migration Health Physician visited IOM Mission and Migration Health assessment Clinic in Minsk Belarus.the visit was aimed at optimizing health assessment procedures and data processing through MiMOSA Web as well as regional coordination of health activities. The joint team managed to find appropriate technical solutions for launching ehealth component for on line medical processing of visa applicants to Australia, relevant communication sent to DIAC. MHD participated in TB Interagency coordination meeting in the WHO premises (27 December 2012). Agenda and some 2013 Stop TB Partnership materials are on the: http://www.stoptb.org/events/world_tb_day/2013/ The IOM Moscow Times, Issue 27 5
During the reporting period 148 migrant beneficiaries under IOM care underwent comprehensive radiology and laboratory testing with our medical partner Central TB Research Institute of Russian Academy of Medical Science. MOSCOW PROGRAMME ON CULTURAL ORIENTATION In the fall of 2012 the IOM US Cultural Orientation (USCO) trainers traveled to three different locations to deliver seminars. USCO was conducted in Malta, Ukraine and Slovakia. In Ukraine, where all the refugees we were working with, had relatives in the USA, the groups were familiar with many aspects of life in the country they are bound for. In contrast, the Iraqi, Somali and Afghan refugees at the Emergency Transit Center Humenne (Slovakia) are far less familiar with the US, and share many questions regarding family reunification issues (which the trainer instructed them to address to their resettlement agency upon arrival). One of the prevailing participants concerns was related to their lack of formal education: almost all the participants expressed their hopes and wishes to finish secondary school and even continue their education at universities in the USA. Among the most preferred fields of study were medicine and law; one of the teenagers said that he heard that the profession of a surgeon was very prestigious and highly paid in the USA. He believed he could be a brilliant surgeon, or if it did not work out he would like to be a policeman as an alternative. The trainer took this opportunity to discuss the importance of setting long term goals while focusing at first on encouraging the participants to take any job and continue their studies, with a focus on language learning as a priority. The elderly participants were sure that they would not be able to work in the USA but they expected that their children would be responsible for their well being in the new country. This sparked a discussion about what age was to be considered old and what skills that the refugees had, could be applicable in the USA. The class was led by the trainer to the conclusion that one was never too old to seek employment which was also echoed by the respective fragment in the Welcome to US video. Viewing one of the segments of the video Welcome to the US generated some confusion among the participants. Some of the refugees (especially elderly women) were shocked to learn that upon arrival they could be initially accommodated by an American family and would stay there for a few days. The participants stated that they would rather stay outside than share accommodation with someone from a different culture. The refugees expected that all newly arrived refugees would be provided by the government with separate housing for each family unit. The trainer explained to the participants that US resettlement is based on a number of models including drawing on the good will and volunteer spirit of many Americans. This is part of the American value system and should not be seen negatively. In turn, one day, they may be willing to host a newcomer, thereby passing on this show of goodwill to strangers which are one of the cornerstones of the US immigration system. In Floriana (Malta) the majority of the refugees are Somalis and Eritreans. Although most participants could understand English, CO sessions were assisted through the interpretation into Somali, Tigrinya or Arabic when necessary. The atmosphere during the trainings was very lively. All the participants were very active, and asked a lot of questions on luggage allowance and the date of departure, health insurance, education, their rights and responsibilities in the US, family re unification and the steps they should take in order to become US citizens. The participants also wanted to know as much as possible about employment in the US. One of the participants said that he had worked as a doctor in his home country, but he would like to become a pharmacist. He wanted to know if his medical diploma would help him in the process of obtaining this qualification. The trainer explained the fact that qualifications in one country do not necessarily lend themselves to another country. In order to gain a pharmacist s license, one must follow several years of study and the requisite English language skills must also be followed. MOSCOW MIGRANTS PROCESSING AND MOVEMENT IOM Moscow works with the Russian government, the U.S. State Department, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), and various UNHCR offices and U.S. Embassies across Europe and the ex USSR to implement a program of voluntary resettlement to the United States for migrants and refugees. The biggest beneficiary groups are religious minorities from the ex USSR who are joining immediate relatives already in the United States; thirdcountry refugees referred for resettlement by the United Nations (Afghan refugees in Central Asia, Afghan and African refugees in Russia and Ukraine) and African boat people stranded in Malta. Comprehensive statistics for 01 September through 31 December 2012 are as follows: The IOM Moscow Times, Issue 27 6
Applications received and processed: 1141 cases / 2646 individuals Presented to DHS for status determination: 527 cases / 1238 individuals Departures to the U.S.: 331 cases / 807 individuals In total, IOM staff traveled to process cases, interview applicants, prepare files for interviews, assist U.S. government officials and provide Cultural Orientation in: Chisinau (Moldova), Humenne (Slovakia), Malta and Timisoara (Romania). COPIES OF THE NEWSLETTER ARE AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST. PLEASE DO NOT HESITATE TO CONTACT US. IOM MOSCOW 2 ND ZVENIGORODSKAY A STREET, 12,123100, MOSCOW,RUSSIAN FEDERATION TEL.: +7 495 797 8722 FAX: +7 499 253 3522 IOMMOSCOW@IOM.INT WWW.IOMRUSSIA.RU The IOM Moscow Times, Issue 27 7