DOHA: The ‘Doha Dialogue on Migration 2014’ concluded here yesterday with a series of recommendations and a discussion on the condition of expatriate workers in Qatar.
The event was organised by Qatar Red Crescent (QRC) in cooperation with International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent (IFRC),
The last-day of the conference discussed input from foreign community representatives regarding the condition of expatriate workers in Qatar.
Working groups were formed on specific topics such as regional cooperation, pre-departure services, advocacy and humanitarian diplomacy, and inclusion of migration in the post-2015 Development Agenda.
Participants came up with the following recommendations:
A commitment to move the dialogue forward and attend a second RCRC Migration Platform in Manila in December 2014. An agreement to support/attend a regional workshop on inter-cultural dialogue in Jakarta in September 2014.
Further workshops to be hosted by national societies from sending and receiving countries over the next three years.
Enhance communication and exchange of ideas between sending and receiving national societies through IFRC’s study visits to countries and workplace exchanges for staff and volunteers in sending and receiving countries. An agreement from national societies to nominate one staff member/volunteer to act as a focal point for movement-wide discussions and action on migration.
RCRC movement to be more proactive in establishing relationships and partnerships with external migration agencies and existing networks.
National societies to strengthen advocacy efforts and humanitarian diplomacy around migration and build on RCRC’s auxiliary role with governments.
Sessions were attended by experts in migration, labour, law, and humanitarian action, including Saleh bin Ali Al-Mohannadi, QRC Secretary-General, Dr Fawzi Oussedik, QRC Head of International Relations and International Humanitarian Law, Jagan Chapagain, Director, IFRC Asia Pacific Zone, Tauhid Pasha, Senior Specialist, Labour Migration, International Organization for Migration, Fatima Gailani, President, Afghanistan Red Crescent, Dr Mehmet Güllüoglu, Director- General, Turkish Red Crescent, Dr Bettahar Boudjellal, international human rights expert, and representatives of India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Morocco, the Philippines, and Yemen communities.
The Peninsula
