Opening dialogues with different audiences to empower decision making towards safe and regular migration

Information dissemination is an art form that needs proper understanding of the audience as well as the message. Without a correct understanding of both, information dissemination is fruitless. Going along with this theory, International Organization for Migration (IOM) has always utilized different mechanisms to reach their target audience to disseminate messages regarding safe and orderly migration.

IOM has always striven to facilitate regular migration, and part of that effort is to spread awareness regarding safe and orderly migration methods. Safe Migration Campaigns (SMC) are such awareness sessions carried out to different audiences with the message pertaining to regular migration by IOM.

What is interesting is though, is the fact IOM has been utilizing different awareness session types for different audiences. Awareness sessions carried out to members of the community are short and carry precise information related to foreign employment, while awareness sessions for youth participants carry wider array of information, ranging from migration for education to foreign employment.

With such awareness sessions, IOM aims to address different demographics in the society with messages aimed at what each demographic will most likely be looking into migration.

In addition to these methods, IOM has also carried out awareness activities using media such as printed (newspapers), broadcast (television and radio). Entertainment based awareness sessions that can attract a large crowd of people are also actively used to attract participants allowing dialogues to be brought forward regarding safe and regular migration. Open discussions warrant participants to share their own experiences, creating a bond between the audience and the speakers/ performers. Such instances of two-way communications prompt audience members to create an empathetic bond with the subject that is being discussed and retain the message being passed throughout the audience.

The success of information dissemination through awareness sessions lies in its ability to transcend cultural and language barriers. Stage dramas and interactive sessions rely on entertainment and verbal communication, making them accessible to diverse audiences across different regions.

Awareness raising plays a vital role as it serves as a catalyst for positive change by informing, educating, and engaging people with the message of safe and regular migration. We must remember that correct information empowers people to arrive at correct decisions, whereas incorrect information puts the audience in peril. Herein lies IOM’s effort to empower people through spreading correct information regarding safe and regular migration using different methods.