IOM Norway Sustainable Migration Governance
Saving Migrants’ Lives
MIGRANTS IN THE MEDITERRANEAN NEWSLETTER WINTER 2014-2015 IN THIS ISSUE
Climate Change and Migration Recorded Migrant – Page 4 Climate 7As Deaths for 2014: 4,469 – page 12
2014 ended with nearly 5,000 recorded migrantconcerted deaths. Most effort. lost Mr. their Lacy lives respectfully in rickety 2014 ended with nearly 5,000 recorded boats in the Mediterranean, the parched desertsuggestss of the American a holistic appborder,roach: in the Pacific migrant deaths. Most lost their lives in Ocean between Indonesia and Australia, or suffering at the hands of traffickers or rickety boats in the Mediterranean, the IOM’s new Migration Crisis Web, Stats and VARP News – Page 6 traders of human misery. Many were children. With one billion people on the move on parched deserts of the American border, Operational Framework (MCOF) does Web developments, statistics and news. our planet, 2015 might be a banner year for an even higher toll of migrant deaths. in the Pacific Ocean between Indonesia just that by linking risk reduction, andIOM Australia, does not oraccept suffering that at2015 the need hands be worse thanhumanitarian 2014. One action,migrant migrationdeath is too management and development. It’s ofmany. traffickers IOM Norway or traders has of publi humanshed in its entirety Saving Migrants’ Lives from our a holistic approach that will improve misery.Director Many Gener wereal, William children. Lacy With Swing. one This comes on the heels of his more recent the way migration, diasporas and billionpiece, peopleto be found on the on move IOM.no, on our Why Europe Needs to Make Immigration Easier, which remittances can facilitate post-crisis planet,stresses, 2015 “The mi timeght be has a bannercome for year a “high for -road scenario” based on facilitating recovery. It’s an approach that anmigration even higher.” toll of migrant deaths. requires partnerships, so we strongly Saving Migrants’ Lives – Page 8 believe that the international IOMThis doesdoes notnot acceptmean for that Europe 2015 need to open be the gates. Indeed, Mr. Swing acknowledges Migrants are dying daily in desperate attempts to community must come together to worsethat, “Completely than 2014. One free migrant mobility death may beis far away.” Rather, it is a call for international reach economic, social, religious and political devise more systematic ways to too many. IOM Norway has published in security. A letter from William Lacy Swing, effort, including Europe, to engage in a pragmatic,protect conce strandedrted effort. migrants Mr. Swing caught up its entirety Saving Migrants’ Lives from Director General, International Organization for respectfully suggests a holistic approach: in conflicts. our Director General, William Lacy Migration. SwingIOM’s. newThis comesMigration on the Crisis heels Operational of his FrameworkIOM is proud (MCOF) to part does of thisjust effort. that byWe morelinking recent risk piecereduction,, to be foundhumanitarian on action,believe migration 2015 canmanagement be a year of and mitigating Grünerløkka, 1915- IOM.no,development. Why Europe It’s aN eholisticeds to Make approach that greaterwill improve losses bythe assisting way migration, migrants to 2015: 100 Years of Immigrationdiasporas and Easier remittances, which stresses, can facilitate “The postfind-crisis their wayrecovery. home, It’sand anbeing approach an active Migration in that requires partnerships, so we strongly believe that the international time has come for a “high-road participant in the concerted effort to Norway – Page 10 community must come together to devise more systematic ways to protect scenario” based on facilitating aide migrants. stranded migrants caught up in conflicts. migration.” INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATION FOR MIGRATION IOM is proud to be part of this effort. We believeIn 2015 cooperation can be a year with of mitigating our (IOM) This does not mean for Europe to open greater losses by assisting migrants to find theirpartners way home and, and tobeing the an welfareactive of the gates. Indeed, Mr. Swing VISITING ADDRESS: SKIPPERGATA 33, 2ND FLOOR, participant in the concerted effort to aide migrants. OSLO acknowledges that, “Completely free our beneficiaries, we look forward to working toward our MAILING ADDRESS: POSTBOKS 8927, mobilityIn cooperation may be far away.”with ourRather, partners it is a and to the welfare of our YOUNGSTORGET, N-0028, OSLO call for international effort, including shared goal in 2015. beneficiaries, we look forward to working toward our shared goal TEL: 23 10 53 20, FAX: 23 10 53 23 Europe, to engage in a pragmatic, in 2015. Email: [email protected] www.iom.no
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International Migrants Day: The Norwegian government, the Embassy of the United States and the Red Cross join IOM for a panel discussion at the Norwegian pre-premiere of The Good Lie
On Wednesday the 19th of November The Lost Boys of Sudan is the name in Oslo, IOM Norway marked 2014 given to the group of over 20,000 information sheets of IOM Norway’s International Migrants Day by boys and girls who of the Nuer and programmes were handed out to the hosting the national pre-premiere of Dinka ethnic groups displaced or guest, including information on the feature film The Good Lie. Nearly Cultural Orientation for Norway- 100 invited guests, including migrant orphaned during the Second bound Refugees (NORCO) – a and diaspora organisations, Sudanese War Civil War (1983- programme that provides integrated ambassadors, academics, and 2005). 2.5 million people were killed pre-arrival cultural orientation members from Norwegian ministries and millions were displaced from classes for quota refugees accepted and directorates, came together to the war. Over 4,000 lost boys and for resettlement in Norway. The watch the moving and inspirational girls resettled in the United States primary objective of pre-departure tale of the “Lost Boys of Sudan.” went with assistance from IOM. orientation is to facilitate the integration of quota refugees into involved in being the world’s top Norwegian society, and it includes resettlement country, and addressing unrealistic expectations highlighted that IOM is a key partner with the aim of reducing culture for the US government in the shock. In The Good Lie, one can see resettlement process. the difficulties that refugees may Annette Sørlie, Senior Adviser at the face when resettled in a completely Red Cross, explained the importance unfamiliar culture, even when given of civil society in the integration of pre-departure cultural orientation by resettled refugees. Janvier Nzigo, IOM. Since the inception of NORCO Outreach Officer at IOM Norway, in 2003, around 8,000 Norway- began his speech by thanking Sørlie bound quota refugees have been and the Red Cross for their given cultural orientation classes. “homework help” programme, Last year, almost 50,000 migrants To coincide with the screening, IOM where he was given valuable help attended an IOM migrant training took the opportunity to discuss with schoolwork and met his first course, held in 49 countries issues of resettlement. (From left to Norwegian friend after having been worldwide. right in photo) Director General resettled in Norway. Congolese
Barbro A. Bakken from the Ministry Nzigo talked about his experiences of Children, Equality and Social of being resettled from a refugee INTERNATIONAL MIGRANTS DAY Inclusion talked about the great camp in Burundi with the assistance developments seen in Norway’s WATCH VIDEO ON IOM.NO: CELEBRATION OF of IOM, and his feelings of travelling INTERNATIONAL MIGRANTS DAY resettlement and integration to Norway with the characteristic practices over the course of her IOM bag. career, including the mandatory “Introduction Programme” that all The IOM bags are featured refugees in Norway attend. Julie repeatedly throughout The Good Lie, Furuta-Toy, Chargé d'affaires of the a film which Nzigo and many other Embassy of the United States in guests found “deeply moving.” After
Norway, explained the complexities the film, IOM bags containing
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The Good Lie: Music and Migration Launch of by Charles Kinney, Jr. Return Stories IOM Norway had the pleasure of hosting message, The Good Lie and its On Web and the pre-premiere of The Good Lie on soundtrack are about migration. November 19. There was an unexpected surprise: the movie featured the music This musical migration is not just a Postcards of of Nico & Vinz and Emmanuel Jal (Find recent phenomenon. Both forced a Way). Nico & Vinz, formerly known as migration (Africans/refugees from Nazi Return Envy in Norway, are Norway’s latest Germany) and more recent migration successful musical export. They’re also (Latin America) has had a profound the children of migrants (Ghana and the effect on such diverse music as the This picture caption uses the Caption 2 Ivory Coast) and not surprisingly, they’re invention of jazz, orchestral composition paragraph style and is inside a text box and the development of Tejano and so that you can move it easily as also exceptionally good. Singing in needed to accompany a photo. English and Norwegian and proudly dance music. Afro-beat, Bossa Nova, Norwegian and African, Nico & Vinz Polka, Indian pop, Celtic, Native made Am I Wrong a global hit. American, Aboriginal, Klezmer, J-pop, Caribbean, Fado and even Kabuki has spread and evolved not only because people want to hear it, but because Based on a project from IOM Ireland, migrants brought it. BBC Radio 4 IOM Norway has launched Stories of produces an astonishing series entitled Return (web) and Postcards of Return Musical Migrants that tells the story of (printed). Both the web and the book tell blues, country-western, opera, folk, the stories and experiences of returnees. samba, classical, flamenco, reggae and These are not just success stories. They tango through migrants. (Musical are honest depictions and experiences of Migrants. BBC. 2008-2013 returnees upon return. http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00 Music reminds us of home and places we kct1j). might never see again. Like food, music is so strong an aesthetic taste that Of course, there are moments when I nothing than perhaps smell or taste can only want to hear and experience the evoke more immediate human memory. sound of a place, like the call to prayers Joy, sadness, loss and love and the in Istanbul while sitting underneath the immeasurable moments that make a Galata Bridge, or the rush of water human life can be recalled in an instant leaping off to its fate at my native when hearing a piece of music. Niagara Falls. But I am a migrant, and old friends like Hikaru Utada from Japan The Good Lie soundtrack also has Run on the streets of Batumi, Icona Pop River North (Growing Up), children of from Sweden at Seattle’s Pike Place Korean migrants to the United States, Market, Liima Inui from Greenland on IOM Norway has taken the stories a step Kenya’s Oyub Ogada (Obiero), migrant the Burj Khalifa in Dubai or Zap Mama further. Translating them into the first to the UK and returnee to Kenya, from the Democratic Republic of the person and in different languages Sweden’s Melpo Mene (Ain’t Gonna Die Congo on the Bangkok’ Tha Kha floating (Albanian, Arabic, Bengali, Dari, Kurdish, While Sitting Down), Australia’s Xavier market (all migrants, children of Nepali, Somali, Spanish, Tagalog, Tamil, Rudd (Creating a Dream) and Emmanuel migrants or descendants of migrants) Tigrinya, Russian), the stories are now Jal. Emmanuel Jal, who also acts in the make me feel connected to something available in an engaging book form in movie, was a child soldier in the Sudan bigger. Zap Mama says it best on Miss Postcards of Return. The book was People’s Liberation Army (SPLA). Q’n, “Traveling from the north to the presented to State Secretary of Justice Through determination and the south, southern stories, south to the and Security Jøran Kallmyr.
intervention of British aid worker Emma east, east to the west, we’re all looking www.iomstoriesofreturnnorway.com and McCune, Jal completed an education in for the best.” Migration provides a http://issuu.com/iomnorway/docs/postcards_ Kenya. His music is a voice for ethnic and soundtrack to the past and possibilities return_low__res_web_versi religious tolerance in Sudan. True to its for the future. IOM NORWAY WINTER 2014/2015 4
One way we are working towards these objectives is through partnership with Climate Change and Migration the Nansen Initiative. The initiative is by Carina Wint and Sigurd Tvete funded and chaired by the Norwegian and Swiss governments. IOM is a “The gravest effects of climate change Standing Invitee to the chairing group, may be those on human migration as along with the Office of the United millions are displaced by shoreline Nations High Commissioner for erosion, coastal flooding and severe Refugees. The aim of the Initiative is to drought,” said the Intergovernmental create a protection agenda based on Panel on Climate Change (IPPC) in one three pillars, including: of its first reports, 25 years ago. Since then, IOM has worked on climate international cooperation and change, environment and migration solidarity; issues in a number of ways. (Marshall Islands - IOM/Joe Lowry) standards for the treatment of Maria Tiimon, climate activist from affected people regarding The number of affected populations Kiribati, supports Rakova, “The term admission and stay status; is steadily increasing. In 2013, 22 climate refugee as a ‘solution’ is million people were newly displaced too simplistic. Climate change is not operational responses, including by disasters in at least 119 countries, just about moving people to a safer funding mechanisms and almost three times more than those place. It’s about equity, identity and who fled wars and conflict. We know responsibilities of international that people will be increasingly human rights.” humanitarian and development affected as some areas are continue actors. become too hot for human IOM takes the issue of climate change habitation and others are induced migration very seriously, and in The initiative was launched in 2012 and endangered by sea level rise. November we dedicated our yearly is a grassroots-led coalition that aims to regular Council session – the highest build consensus among nations to create Experts believe that 520 million level of authority of IOM – to climate a framework that helps communities people globally each are affected by change and migration. The topic is also cope with climate change and natural global flooding in coastal zones, and high on the Norwegian government’s disasters. Johan Meyer, Refugee Policy a billion people a year are agenda. At the recent high-level Director at the Norwegian Ministry of potentially exposed to these risks. conference in Lima, Peru, Norwegian Foreign Affairs, and member of the Some 120 million are exposed to Climate Minister, Tine Sundoft, stated, Nansen Initiative steering committee, tropical cyclone hazards. Low- “There have always been cyclones, floods, said, “Norway realizes that even if we elevation coastal zones host around earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, droughts of the 10% of the world’s population manage to keep global warming below and mudslides etc. What is new is the the two degree goal, there will be an and will be affected by the sea-level frequency and intensity of sudden onset rise. impact on the environment that causes weather related events. It would be naïve people to flee. We need to adapt to to believe that no-one will have to move climate change. That may include The inhabitants of Tuvalu, an island as a result of climate change, be it state in the Pacific Ocean, may be migration and relocation, but there will voluntarily or forcibly.” inevitably also be people who are among those who will need to leave their homes due to climate change. The displaced. When people cross borders, What is IOM doing to support there may be a protection challenge as island is seen as one of the most environmentally-induced migrants? vulnerable communities in a world well, and that is the core of the Nansen IOM’s perspective is clear. We are using Initiative.” affected by rising sea temperatures. If our expertise in order to pursue three global sea levels rise as predicted, broad objectives: Italian journalist and author Fabrizio Tuvaluans and other low-elevation Gatti, winner of the 2014 Oslo University coastal zone states will cease to exist. 1. To minimize forced and unmanaged Human Rights Award and author of Bilal, Ursula Rakova from the Carteret Islands, migration as much as possible; supports cooperation between nation Papua New Guinea, argues that, 2. Where forced migration does occur, states, “Awareness amongst communities “Academics have dubbed us amongst to ensure assistance and protection for is the first step, but we should not world’s first environmental refugees and those affected and to seek durable consider climate change as an unsolvable journalists put us on the frontline of solutions; excuse. Climate change can boost climate change…we do not need labels 3. To facilitate the role of migration as migration flows worsening the economy but actions.” of a country, reducing the amount of an adaption strategy to climate change.
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drinking water, but it’s only one part of IOM agrees and has held an ongoing the story.” War, dictatorship, foreign series of capacity-building trainings economic exploitation and demographic targeting mid to senior level growth are still the main causes of policymakers and practitioners active in migration, and they are not always the environmental and/or migration areas. consequence of climate change. Often, The trainings seek to provide it is the overall situation, environmental participants with a basic understanding factors included, that causes people to of migration, environment and climate flee or migrate, and individual issues change concepts and terminology, as may be hard to isolate and identify. well as concrete tools that can support (Gonaives - IOM/Nino Nunes) national and regional policymaking The collaborative approach of the IOM recognizes the climate pressures on processes. Nansen Initiative facilitates many global migration and displacement and the voices that have previously been financial challenges it places on many Opinion remains divided about the marginalized in the climate change countries. Recently, IOM joined the success of the IPCC Lima conference. debate. The Nansen Initiative is helping Climate Vulnerable Forum Trust Fund, While the dust settles in the empty governments construct preparedness which is a partnership that aims to conference halls of the Peruvian capital, plans that make societies more resilient. increase the capacity of affected IOM continues to work towards the Advanced preparations greatly assist communities to deal with migration and climate agreement conference in Paris efforts and help to mitigate eventual displacement linked to the impact of at the end of this year. Moreover, IOM damages, but many countries do not climate change and environmental will be a key player in the final have the funds to invest in risk pressures. The fund is unique among consultations from the Nansen Initiative reduction. Even when they do, the funds international climate-financing towards the development of the before-
are sometimes misdirected. instruments as it has a focus on mentioned protection agenda, and will promoting adaption to climate change, continue to place human mobility at the Gatti, who travelled across Africa for not just mitigation, and because it is a very centre of the climate change the awarding-winning Bilal – which South-South cooperation platform debate. Our mandate compels us to involving some 20 countries particularly raise awareness on the potential traces the modern-day migrant vulnerable to climate change. incidence of disasters on human routes from Africa to Europe, said, mobility, and to support those Johan Meyer from the Norwegian “Most African countries cannot communities that will bear the brunt of Ministry of Foreign Affairs afford disaster-reduction plans. climatic changes. Even in my country, Italy, which believes, “The way forward is one of the highest seismic starts by recognizing the For more information visit: importance of climate change hazard areas in the world, there http://environmentalmigration.iom.int/ is no extensive national civil- adaptation. It is an international protection plan. Why? Corruption responsibility. We need to show http://www.nanseninitiative.org/ and misappropriation of public solidarity with those who cannot funds, misgovernment and the deal with the issues alone.” common belief that an earthquake is still due to the will With over 20 years of experience IOM applies its comprehensive working on climate issues, IOM has migration management approach to of God.” developed an extensive portfolio of the linkages between migration,
It is common knowledge that the world’s activities in the areas of capacity climate change and the environment. poorest are most at risk from climate building, research advocacy, Through its activities, IOM helps to change-induced events. When disaster international migration law, reduce vulnerability of populations What are the climate 7As? Page 12 strikes, affected communities are forced partnerships, policy dialogues and exposed to environmental risk to move from rural to urban areas, or in operations in the field with a focus on factors, assists populations on the some cases, across immediate borders human mobility, environment, move as a result of disasters and with neighbouring countries. The disasters and climate. IOM has environmental changes, and builds duration of the environmentally-induced assisted at least 23 million individuals the capacities of governments and migration is dependent on the type of through the implementation of over other actors to face the challenge of climatic event. For coastal communities 250 projects with an environment, environmental migration. affected by sea-level rises, the damage disaster and resilience dimension. will be irreversible.
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New, simplified one-minute videos in WEB DEVELOPMENTS Albanian, Amharic, Arabic, Dari, English French, Kurdish, Nepali, Norwegian, Pashto, Russian, Spanish and Tigrinya simply explain the benefits and details of the Voluntary Assisted Return Programme (VARP) process.
Redesigned Web Sites, New SMS Service and Pictograms Enhance Client and Language Services in the VARP Process
IOM.NO REDESIGNED Increased functionality and a modern design reflect IOM’s mission and dedication to client services. IOM.NO and VOLUNTARYARYRETURN.COM have been redesigned for simplicity and functionality. The new design can now respond more effectively to changes, increasing uniformity of message and flow of information to clients. IOM Norway is also excited to launch a new, free SMS service to check the status of a Voluntary Assisted Return Programme (VARP) application. After entering a DUF number and the original telephone number submitted with the application, it is possible to check the status of any application privately and quickly. The new SMS-system uses clear pictograms to explain progress in the Voluntary Assisted Return Process (VARP). At present, English & Norwegian are possible for transmission by SMS. www.voluntaryreturn.com Return and Reintegration for Vulnerable
VOLUNTARYRETURN.COM Migrants Seminar A new, simplified one-page application in English and Norwegian and a wholly redesigned web-face IOM Norway arranged a seminar on ‘Return and Reintegration for Vulnerable Migrants’ in based on the concept DECIDE TO RETURN, December in Oslo. The seminar focused on the opportunities and challenges related to the PREPARE, TRAVEL and BUILD A NEW LIFE. return and reintegration process for victims of trafficking, unaccompanied minors, aged- VOLUNTARYRETURN.COM uses pictograms, out minors, migrants with medical needs and other migrants in highly vulnerable enhanced language capability and a new, situations. IOM Norway presented information about the Vulnerable Groups Project which innovative SMS system where applicants can check the status of their Voluntary Assisted provides individually-tailored return and reintegration assistance to vulnerable migrants. Return Programme (VARP) application. IOM representatives from Albania, the Philippines and Nigeria shared their experiences with providing reintegration assistance to vulnerable migrants. The seminar aimed to spread awareness of the Vulnerable Groups Project and IOM’s reintegration assistance FAST FACTS among our Norwegian partners. Participants included the Norwegian Directorate of Immigration (UDI), staff at reception centres in Norway, as well as representatives from
organizations working directly with victims of trafficking, unaccompanied minors and other vulnerable migrants. 27.4% Return Seminars Held in Buskerud, Return visitors to IOM.NO
Elverum, Trondheim and Kristiansand The last quarter of 2014 saw an extensive effort by IOM Norway’s Outreach team to reach extended areas and provide better services to irregular migrants. Working with partners 72.6% and stakeholders through-out and around Norway, IOM Norway is dedicated to expanding New visitors to IOM.NO its coverage in 2015.
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Embassy Seminar VARP NEWS IOM Norway Chief of Mission Joost van der Aalst said, “These annual meetings with our counterparts from diplomatic missions in Norway offer a prime opportunity for a dialogue to explore feasible solutions in support of migrants in Training of Trainers need of a return to their country of origin.” IOM Norway's partners Innvandrernes landsorganisasjon (INLO), Caritas, Det felles innvandrerråd i Hordland (DFIRH) and Radio Embassy Seminar Expands Dialogue Latin-Amerika met in December to discuss experiences and progress for 2014. Strengthening IOM Norway held a seminar in September with 40 ambassadors and embassy staff and the ties and enhancing cooperation were the theme Norwegian Directorate of Immigration in Oslo to exchange experiences and improve of the meeting. The Training of Trainers (ToT) collaboration to better assist migrants who wish to return home voluntarily with IOM provides a forum for continued cooperation to assistance. assist irregular migrants. Radio Latin-Amerika, Dfirh, Caritas and Frelsesarmeen provide “In order to make sure that as many migrants as possible benefit from IOM Norway’s expanded national reach with special focus in the services it is imperative that IOM Norway finds how to make the application process as Oslo and Hordaland areas. As well as providing expanded national reach, ToT also allows smooth as possible with embassies and consulates,” said Joost van der Aalst, IOM Norway expansion of our mission to women, invisible Chief of Mission. migrants and migrants in emergency situations. Some migrants have at times misunderstandings on the kind of identification documents
required by embassies and authorities. The workshop was based on real cases and experiences related to assisted voluntary return to improve the situation.
In order for the system to work, IOM relies on a strong and close relationship with embassies for identity verification, travel documents and authentication of passports. In 2013, IOM Norway assisted nearly 72% of the migrants returning home voluntarily with obtaining either travel documents or valid passports from various embassies and consulates.
“An indispensable part of IOM’s operations is our close cooperation with embassies and consulates. Facilitating migrants who have made an informed decision to return to their home countries is one of IOM Norway’s key activities. It is therefore important to discuss and engage with colleagues on the various steps and issues that migrants wishing to return may go through,” said Joost van der Aalst.
FAST TRACK PROCESSING DAYS
7.59 days Average return with Fast Track (application submission to departure)
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tumultuous debate. IOM’s information campaign Saving Migrants’ Lives highlighting the Contributions of by William Lacy Swing, Director General, International Organization for Migration Migrants is crucial in countering misinformation by We know that migration – and presenting evidence in readily particularly irregular migration - is a understandable ways. Better controversial topic around the world. evidence, data and evaluations of Too often the debate focuses on its the impact of migration policies perceived negative socio- and programmes are key to economic impact on employment countering misconceptions about and cultural differences. But we the real scale and impact of urgently need to change this migration. lens through which people view migration - if we are to save the desperate people who continue to risk their lives migrating in search of safety and a better future. All too often they are exploited by criminal making fortunes in excess of US$1-2 million per boat on the overcrowded, unseaworthy vessels they send unsuspecting In 2014 we encouraged IOM migrants to their deaths on. missions worldwide to engage in the
world of social media with our William Lacy Swing Specifically we urge the #MigrationMeans campaign on international community to take Twitter and Facebook. IOM missions more responsibility for saving the shared photos of migrants on social On December 18th IOM and the lives of the thousands of migrants - media explaining what world marked International Migrants men, women and children - who migration means to the individuals Day 2014. Our theme was “Saving undertake dangerous journeys in involved. Migrants’ Lives” and our focus was small boats on rough seas, and on the global humanitarian challenge foot across deserts and mountains. posed by the plight of thousands Success stories are also important and in 2015 IOM will launch the of migrants who die while trying to It is unacceptable that anyone #MigrantHeroes Campaign. IOM reach safety. On International fleeing for their life be denied will ask the public to nominate Migrants Day 2013, IOM focused on safe haven or rescue. “migrant heroes” who have made “Desperation Migration” Migrants fleeing war, religious a significant contribution to and produced the first global extremism and natural disasters society after migrating abroad. I estimates of the numbers of deserve our empathy – not our will invite selected winners to migrants dying on migratory routes, indifference. participate on the Migrant Voices whether at sea or on land. panel at the 2015 IOM Council in Migrants contribute greatly both Geneva. New IOM data show that the to their countries of origin and their numbers are increasing and host communities. This new This campaign will allow IOM to 2014 will be the deadliest diaspora also has an important role put a human face on the year on record…(the number) to play in helping their communities narrative that will likely be close to 5,000 - back home. They are credible voices migrants contribute positively in more than twice the 2,378 whom those contemplating the countries and cities where deaths we reported last year. unsafe journeys will listen to. They they live across the globe. I hope are a voice of reason in an often that you will actively support it. IOM NORWAY WINTER 2014/2015 9
THE MISSING MIGRANTS PROJECT
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Grünerløkka, 1915-2015: southern Norwegians looked down on their Northern countrymen) and back- 100 Years of Migration in Norway breaking work did not deter Norwegians from moving into Grünerløkka. The by Charles Kinney, Jr. Hercules clothing company normal working schedule was 7:00 to 19:00, with a half-hour breakfast, one and a half- hour dinner and a fifteen-minute break. By 2015, 15% of the total population of Norway is made Jews escaping from pogroms in Eastern up of nearly 800,000 migrants Europe arrived in the 1910s, and by the or the children of migrants. start of World War II, Grünerløkka was a solid Norwegian neighborhood with assimilated migrants. Post-World War II One side of the street of our busy office I was curious. Norway’s long history of brought returning Jews, then refugees at Skippergata 33 leads to Oslo S, Oslo’s migration includes taking to the seas to from 1956 Hungary. However, in the 50s large and sometimes chaotic but find its future (ancient intricately-carved and 60s, the neighborhood began a slow controlled train station. The other side wooden ships and now intricately- decline as residents moved out to newer takes you to Storgata, the “big street,” designed systems for oil), Viking kings communities and Grünerløkka slid into on to Trondheimsveien, and then you having foreign wives to seal alliances, disrepair. Stig Arnesen, a long-term are in Grünerløkka. The pulse of Oslo, the Hanseatic League bringing migrants resident of Grünerløkka, is a retired home to Poles, Swedes, Somalis, and economic development, and the teacher and social worker. Born and Lithuanians and Pakistanis (Norway’s migrant mining industry creating raised and living in Grünerløkka, Stig has five largest migrant communities), and Kongsberg and Røros. But could the seen Grünerløkka in decline and rebirth. full of the sounds of Asia, Africa and the story of 100 years of Norwegian “When I was growing up in the 1950s and Americas, Grünerløkka is alive, exciting, migration be told through a 60s, Grünerløkka shops were still Jewish human. Grünerløkka is Oslo’s Brooklyn neighborhood? in parts. The neighborhood was (NYC), Praga (Warsaw), SoFo Norwegian, but things were going down. (Stockholm), Užupis (Vilnius) and PECHS There was one black and one biracial (Karachi) all rolled into one. family, and they were accepted, but Oslo, IOM Norway’s home city of Grünerløkka had lost its reason for 600,000 people, may seem expensive existing when the factories starting and cold to outsiders. Go a little deeper, closing down. People began moving up and like brunost, Norway’s brown cheese to the suburbs of Oslo East. Then and usually a complete mystery to everything changed in the 1970s.” visitors, it starts to grow on you. The 1970s brought refugees from Chile Grünerløkka is a part of that. Stretching and Vietnam and workers from Pakistan; from Grønland, the center of Norway’s Olav Ryes plass, 1920 the 1980s, Iran and Sri Lanka; the 1990s, migrant life, to Sofienberg Park (and I began to read. To my delight, the Balkans; 2000s, Iraq, Somalia and what must be the best place to hang out Grünerløkka used to be called New York, Afghanistan; 2010s, Syria. Stig said, “In on a sunny afternoon), to Hasle; the epicenter of all things migrant and the 70s, Norway began to invite workers, Grünerløkka migrant shops and my home state. The drive of people who and I worked with people from Pakistan, restaurants, hip pubs, trendy eateries, are now street names pushed the teaching Norwegian and assisting with and even mosques, churches, temples neighborhood forward: the Grüner cultural orientation. It was a challenge and the Jewish cultural center of family, Thorvald Meyer and Schou. because we didn’t have translators, but Norway’s re-emerging Jewish Starting in the turn of century, they (the migrants) worked hard and population. Grünerløkka was home to factories and Norway needed them to work.” Migration has been a part of industry, drawn by the Akerselva River, Grünerløkka, run down but low-priced Oslo and Norwegian society for which flows through Grünerløkka. Hardworking internal Norwegian and in the center of the city, drew hundreds of years. By 1915, migrants came to Grünerløkka and Oslo migrants for its housing and relevant nearly 800,000 Norwegians, from all over Norway. Even signs of “NO cultural safety.” Migrants would come 1/3 of then Norway, had left. NORTHERNS WANTED” (a time when and live eight to a place, trying to share IOM NORWAY WINTER 2014/2015 11
the rent to save money. I remember my stores, restaurants and business, past an working together has helped make parents telling me that it reminded them amazing Lebanese bakery, to the Grünerløkka what it is today. As we of Norwegians in the early years in Ethiopian and Eritrean restaurants. Then celebrate International Migrants Day in Grünerløkka, many living in one place, to Thorvald Meyers gate, which rambles Norway, like the long-ago Hercules sharing one toilet and a kitchen to try into ultra-trendy eateries and shops. clothing factory, I am a little thread in a and save money. There weren’t many Going further up Trondheimsveien, bunadsjakke (traditional Norwegian places to live. Grønland had changed vegetable stores run by Iraqis and jacket) that someone started to sew from boarded-up shops, and Iranians, side streets with large African long before me and that someone will Grünerløkka was waking up.” communities and then to a street that sew long after I’m gone. By 2115, only a hosts the Romany community, all dotted fool or an academic would make a guess Migrants Contribute along the way with Norwegian pubs, what the future of Oslo looks like, but churches, houses and schools. Trams run Grünerløkka and migrants will hopefully Maybe it is gentrification, but surely it the length of the street, while taxis be a part of it. might also be the drive that most usually driven by Somalis do a good migrants bring to cities that has helped trade. It’s quite a scene but it’s home. What else do migrants contribute? Grünerløkka wake up. My daily walk on www.migrantscontribute.com Trondheimsveien from our office takes It might be trendy and cool to live in me past the All-Asia grocery store, then Grünerløkka, but digging a little deeper, See Oslo’s past and future come alive: Grønland with its blocks of migrant 100 years of migrants and Norwegians http://www.byarkivet.oslo.kommune.no
Grünerløkka, 1915-2015: 100 Years of Migration in Norway
Scenes from Grünerløkka: Sannerbrua – 1915, Birkelunden Park – 1927, Akerselva River – 1937
"Grünerløkka." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 11 Jan. 2014. 2 Nov. 2014. IOM NORWAY WINTER 2014/2015 12 IOM’s Engagement on Migration and Climate: 7As 1. Adaptation: Giving prominence to the potential of migration as a positive adaptation strategy, taking into consideration disaster risk reduction, climate change adaptation, sustainable development and resilience implications 2. Abilities: Calling attention to the capacities needed at the policy and community levels to respond to issues associated with human mobility in the context of climate change and environmental degradation 3. Alliances: Encouraging partnerships and collaboration among all key stakeholder at the international, regional, national and local levels, across policy areas and with governmental, non-governmental and private actors to ensure that a wide range of policy options is developed 4. Action: Highlighting actions already being taken and existing good practices to encourage replication and development of new tailored solutions 5. Assessments: Assessing and evaluating existing data for evidence-based and producing new evidence and research 6. Assets: Accessing funds to develop activities on migration and adaptation and harnessing the potential of migration-related sources of financing, for example, remittances and diaspora investments 7. Advocacy: Giving a voice to environmental migrants and adopting rights-based approaches. IOM Environmental Factsheet: http://www.iom.int/Template/migration-climate-change-environmental- degradation/interactive-factsheet/index.html