Migration Research

IOM undertakes research to focus attention on migration issues to raise awareness and provide governments and other actors with essential information for developing various forms of intervention. IOM research contributes to a better understanding of contemporary migration and trafficking issues, with the objective of enabling the organization and member governments to better respond to emerging migration challenges. Research objectives include:

• Contributing to the development and improvement of new IOM operational activities.
• Developing policy responses for governments to better manage migration flows.

The Migration Research Series (MRS) presents the findings of research projects managed by the IOM Research Unit in Geneva and studies prepared by IOM staff and field offices. The series is designed to bring the results of policy-relevant migration research to the attention of a broader audience more quickly than would be possible in academic journals and books.

Media

One of IOM's main objectives is to bring migration and human trafficking issues to the attention of decision makers and stakeholders at all levels. As an intergovernmental organization dealing with often politically sensitive issues IOM considers the media an effective means by which to highlight migration issues and raise the awareness of all stakeholders involved. The Media and Public Information (MPI) Unit is the Organization's principal media representative. MPI formulates and implements a strategy for the dissemination of migration-related information to the media and other external stakeholders to raise and promote awareness and understanding of IOM policies and programmes. It also assists in the development and implementation of public relations strategies to promote IOM's image and objectives.

Internship Programme

The IOM Internship Programme provides students with the opportunity to learn about IOM's activities, gain initial work experience, and/or prepare for a degree dissertation. IOM provides on-the-job training to interns so that both they and the organization can benefit. Interns are given assignments and responsibility commensurate with their experience. They are referred to a supervisor who is responsible for mentoring and coaching them. They can be given short assignments either designed within on-going programmes or on an ad-hoc basis.

Interns are assigned a supervisor who is responsible for mentoring and coaching them throughout their internship. The assignments and responsibility given to Interns is commensurate with their previous experience and these short assignments will either be designed to support on-going programmes or created on an ad hoc basis.