On 18 December 2015, IOM Tanzania in partnership with the Youth of United Nations Association of Tanzania (YUNA) held a commemorative event to celebrate International Migrants Day at the Golden Tulip Hotel in Dar es Salaam.

Listening to human stories of migrants in Tanzania, the Mediterranean and elsewhere in the world, over 50 youths from universities and secondary schools in Dar es Salaam came to understand the potential benefits of migration as well as the risks of illegal migration. A short theatre play by the Saseni Media Company involving the audience further enriched the lively discussions on migration.

“With over 1 billion people around the world living outside their place of birth, it is clear that migration is a key factor to be accounted for in development policies. In this context, awareness raising amongst the youth and future leaders of Tanzania is critical. The link between migration and development is also enshrined in the new Sustainable Development Goals.” said Tamara Keating, IOM Tanzania’s Programme Coordinator.

The event was important in the context of migration dominating the globe as a key issue in 2015. As noted by IOM’s Director General, William Lacy Swing, “2015 will be remembered as a year of human suffering and migrant tragedies.  Over the past 12 months, over 5,000 women, men and children lost their lives in search of protection and a better life.  Tens of thousands more have been exploited and abused by human traffickers.  And millions have been made into scapegoats and become the targets of xenophobic policies and alarmist rhetoric.”

A moment of silence was held during the event to commemorate the lives of migrants lost. The participants were encouraged to engage with IOM through the #iamamigrant campaign and to remain engaged in migration issues through further outreach events.

For more information, please contact Ms. Sashi Perera, Reporting and Visibility Officer, IOM Dar es Salaam, phone: +255 765 099 577, email: sperera@ iom.int.