DUSHANBE, October 22, 2013, Asia-Plus -- A three-day MIEUX Info Session on Migration Data Collection kicked off at the Migration Service under the Government of Tajikistan on October 21.

According to the Tajik migration service agency’s press center, the session participants include senior representatives of the Tajik migration service agency as well as representatives of the European Union, European Economic Commission and the International Center for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD).

According information posted in ICMPD’s website, this action seeks to enhance the capacities of the Tajik Migration Service to improve its labor migration management through the development of a data collection and management system, and the formulation of a strategy for cooperation with the Tajik Diaspora.

A fact-finding mission to help further define the subsequent activities in this action took place at the beginning of June 2013.  Further activities include an information session on migration data collection and analysis, a training of trainers for pre-departure orientation, a study visit to contextualize the EU MS efforts on labor migration management, and a roundtable focusing on fostering the links between the Tajik authorities and Diaspora.  Through the implementation of these activities, MIEUX experts will develop a set of recommendations to enhance links with the country''s Diaspora. Experts are currently being identified for this action.

Established by Austria and Switzerland in 1993, the International Center for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD), is an international organization that works in migration-related fields. Although ICMPD has a European basis, it carries out its activities throughout the world, including in Europe, Africa, Central Asia, the Middle East and South America. Through its six Competence Centers, ICMPD provides its 15 Member States and numerous partners with in-depth knowledge and expertise in dealing with the phenomena of migration.  It does so through using a holistic 3-pillar approach: research, capacity building and migration dialogues.