IOM_ANNUAL _HIGHLIGHTS_2017

Together with partners
What: Open Day at the asylum seekers centres
Where: Throughout the Netherlands
When: 23 September 2017
Every year, this nationwide event gives the Dutch public
the opportunity to get acquainted with the work of
organizations working with migrants in the Netherlands.
In 2017, this nationwide event attracted thousands
of visitors. Along its partners COA, the Repatriation &
Departure Service, the Immigration and Naturalisation
Service and VluchtenlingenWerk, IOM was present in
many locations around the country, welcomed visitors
and answered queries on many migration topics, from
voluntary return to migrant integration and migration and
development.
Migration challenges highlighted at
the IOM New Year’s get together
IOM used the forum of its 2017 New Year’s reunion to
highlight IOM’s growing involvement in labour market
participation in the Netherlands and its cooperation with
the Dutch private sector. The message delivered at the
reunion was that migrants’ efforts alone could not achieve
the desired integration unless supported by the host
society. The IOM presentation enjoyed the participation
Tolk-en Vertaalcentrum Nederland (TVcN), a major Dutch
business providing interpreting services. Robert Blaauw,
Managing Director of TVcN, talked about the shortage
of interpreters which led his company to the initiative of
recruiting and training migrants as interpreters.
Publications
The IOM booklet Success Stories: from Skills to Work and
the short film Recognizing Talent: Stories from refugees
and their employers grant a humanistic insight to refugee
employment. Employers, migrants and service providers
from the nine EU member states share their personal
stories – their trials and tribulations – with local asylum
policies, recruitment structures, culture shock, taxes, job
interviews, and sustaining a paid position. Both the film
and success story booklet are available for download. To
get the booklet in hard copy, contact your local IOM office
or send us an email.
What: Dag van de Asielketen
Where: Nieuwegein
When: 13 April 2017
IOM the Netherlands was one of the co-organizers of the
2017 edition of the Dag van de Asielketen. This annual
national event is hosted by the Dutch Government to
foster cooperation and cohesion between partners in the
asylum chain and Dutch municipalities. IOM presented its
activity in workshops and info stands on Labour Market
Participation, Family Reunification, Voluntary Return and a
selection of information on IOM’s global activities.
34_IOM THE NETHERLANDS HIGHLIGHTS 2017