Repository of Practices
Primary GCM Objectives
GCM Guiding Principles*
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
Dates
Type of practice
Summary
Modern realities have caused new challenges in the migration sphere and in this situation the establishment of good migration management, as well as creation of a proper legal and regulatory framework is of particular importance for all governments. As a logical conclusion, variability, intensification and complexity of migration processes in recent years created necessity for implementation of additional measures for training and development of specialists in the field of migration according to changing realities.
Therefore, the State Migration Service of the Republic of Azerbaijan (SMS) and the Representation of IOM in Azerbaijan initiated a project on establishment of a Regional Training Centre on Migration in Azerbaijan with the aim of expanding and supporting training activities in the field of migration at the regional level. The Center will be the key training center and knowledge hub for different stakeholders, which will prepare highly qualified specialists in the field of migration based on a modern training methods and modules.
The training programmes of the Center will be divided into several directions, the different duration of trainings will be determined to each topic. It will also be possible to develop tailor-made training and language courses for migrants in accordance with their needs. The targeted beneficiaries of the project are officials from migration related institutions, representatives of related agencies, civil society, social workers, academia, migrants, youth, volunteers, media, private sector, etc. The intended ultimate beneficiaries are the migrants in use of the migration services. RTCM will provide specialized knowledge and empower target groups through the four specialized activities: • Research Engagement; • Tailor-made Trainings; • Knowledge Hub and Network of Experts; • Innovation Lab
Important steps were taken to launch the Center:
o 3 training and 1 regional seminar (https://rtcm.az/blog/) have already been organized with the participation of representatives of 13 countries (Azerbaijan, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Russia, Ukraine, Iran, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Moldova, Georgia, Tajikistan, Belarus).
o Official web page of RTCM (rtcm.az) has been created.
o Work has begun on launching of the network of experts of RTCM, which will be a group of trainers, professionals, specialized advisors and experts from around the world specialized in various aspects of migration area, who provide trainings in RTCM, as well as consultations, surveys, professional knowledge on current migration issues and trends.
o Establishing an e-library has begun, which will be the largest information and analytical portal in the field of migration in the region, containing electronic versions of books on various aspects of migration and beyond.
o Assessment on training needs in the migration sphere in the region and the Roadmap of the Center were adopted by the international expert.
Organizations
Main Implementing Organization(s)
Detailed Information
Partner/Donor Organizations
Benefit and Impact
The Center can contribute to the promotion of orderly and legal migration within the region and its use as an element of development through the sharing of best practices, as well as the promotion of cooperation in various formats.
Taking into account the activity directions overall activity of the Center will contribute to the following:
• facilitation of access to extensive evidence, data and resources that will feed into policymaking process in the field of migration
• establishment of effective coordination mechanism between academia and practitioners for the promotion of needs based and demand driven research
• development of tailor-made courses in accordance with the needs of the target groups.
• extension of the outreach in the field of migration capacity building through virtual learning
• boosting effective exchange of information and best practices in the field of migration management
• fostering partnerships between all the stakeholders of migration
• engaging youth as one of the key partners in migration governance
• application of innovations in migration management by supporting innovative ideas, as well as startups in this field.
RTCM's role-enhancing activities establish common understanding, shared responsibility and unity of purpose with regard to migration, making it work for all stakeholders in a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach. To ensure meaningful interaction, it is important to understand the roles of stakeholders and establish appropriate mechanisms for their interaction.
In this way, RTCM will encourage the participation of various stakeholders in the field of migration, so that each of them will benefit. Thus:
• the knowledge and skills of migration service officials, employees of other state bodies related to migration, representatives of NGOs, the media, academia, the private sector, youth, volunteers, etc. will be improved;
• the integration and inclusion of migrants will be facilitated;
• The involvement of various stakeholders in migration management will be strengthened;
• Ensuring the rights and freedoms of migrants will be improved.
The project implemented by IOM will end in November 2022, but the activities of the Center will continue.
Key Lessons
1. Ensuring engagement of the countries of the region.
Official letters on the establishment of the RTCM were sent to the countries of the region. In the near future, it is planned to organize an official opening ceremony of the Center and the states will be invited to formally
agree on participation in the activities of the RTCM. This issue will be added to the RTCM Roadmap.
2. Elaboration of regional status of RTCM.
This issue can be resolved after the countries agree to participate in the activities of the Center at the official level. It is planned to create a document (for example, Regulations or Statue on RTCM) that will establish its regional status. This issue will be added to the RTCM Roadmap.
3. Definition of the main directions of RTCM.
Currently, work is underway to identify several areas and adopt a training program of the Center, after which local and national experts from the countries of the region will be involved and the Curriculum of the Center will be adopted. The difficulty lies in determining the main areas in which the Center will specialize. This issue will be added to the RTCM Roadmap.
Recommendations(if the practice is to be replicated)
Innovation
The Center will also have an innovation lab where youth, private sector, civil society and other interested parties will join efforts to shape new and innovative ideas that will contribute to the better management of migration. Innovation lab will bring together migration experts from different countries and sectors to open up new perspectives and foster the co-creation of ideas and innovative methods of migration that all members of society benefit.
The lab will facilitate application of innovative solutions for the purpose of empowering youth and unlocking their potential to respond to the challenges and opportunities of migration. This will be enabled through establishment of effective coordination and realization of stimulating activities (different types of grant-based competitions, initiatives). This activity will cover the creation of accelerators that will use the methods of agile start-ups with the aim of developing new ideas that can complement and amend existing legislation, practice, theory, methodology, etc., as well as make innovations in general. It can be proposals on digital transformation, implementation of new projects, finding new donors and other.
Additional Resources
Media
Date submitted:
*References to Kosovo shall be understood to be in the context of United Nations Security Council resolution 1244 (1999).