New cultural info sessions this autumn

We’re delighted to announce that the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) will be delivering information sessions for Community Sponsorship groups on Afghanistan and Syria this autumn.

There will be two sessions focused on Afghanistan taking place on 1 and 2 October which will cover geography, history, current events and services as well as cultural norms, family and social life. The information session on Syria on 28 November will cover experiences in conflict and displacement, society and access to services.

About the sessions

1 October 2024, 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Afghanistan Information Session: Geography, History, Current Events and Services

This session’s content will focus primarily on the geography and history of Afghanistan, as well as Afghan’s experiences in conflict. The session will also look at the services (including education and health care) Afghans may be used to and their expectations around accessing those services in Afghanistan. This session will be participatory and rely heavily on participant engagement through case studies and discussion, therefore we highly encourage participants to come prepared to have their cameras on during the session.

2 October 2024, 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Afghanistan Information Session: Cultural Norms, Family and Social Life

This session’s content will focus primarily on Afghan cultural norms, practices, family, and social life. This session will be participatory and rely heavily on participant engagement through case studies and discussion, therefore we highly encourage participants to come prepared to have their cameras on during the session.

28 November 2024, 2:00 PM – 4:30 PM
IOM UK Syria Information Session: Experiences in Conflict and Displacement, Society and Access to Services.

This session’s content will focus primarily on experiences that Syrian communities may face in conflict, as well as the experiences Syrians may face in displacement within and outside Syria. It will also discuss Syrian society, communication styles, family life and diversity. The session will also delve into the experiences with services and expectations of services. This session will be participatory and rely heavily on participant engagement through case studies and discussion, therefore we highly encourage participants to come prepared to have their cameras on during the session.

If you would like to attend any of these sessions, please register on our training website, by clicking this link

Please note, because the IOM need a specific form for you to sign up to their sessions and to ensure that they can send you resources after the event. The form is also to check to see what you’d like to gain from the session to better tailor it towards the audience.

About the IOM

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) is part of the United Nations System as the leading inter-governmental organization promoting since 1951 humane and orderly migration for the benefit of all, with 175 member states and a presence in 171 countries.

With 175 member states, a further 8 states holding observer status and offices in 171 countries, the IOM is dedicated to promoting humane and orderly migration for the benefit of all. It does so by providing support to migrants across the world, developing effective responses to the shifting dynamics of migration and providing advice on migration policy and practice. 

The organization collaborates with governmental, intergovernmental and non-governmental partners to improve the resilience of people on the move, particularly those in situations of vulnerability. It also works closely with governments to manage all forms of mobility, and their impacts. This work includes operations in some of the most complex emergency settings in the world.

The IOM Constitution recognizes the link between migration and economic, social and cultural development, as well as to the right of freedom of movement.