WFWP Europe's UNTOC Side Event: Prevention of Involuntary Migration

UNTOC, UN Vienna, Side Event: “Prevention of Involuntary Migration Through Quality Education and Empowerment of Women and Young People”

10th Session of the Conference of the Parties

To the United Nations Convention Against Transnational Organised Crime

October 2020 - Read summary report pictured

The question of immigration being voluntary or non-voluntary is linked to political, social and economic considerations. To address this heated problem there are needs for deeper analysis of the situation at different level; national (institutions and the question of governance) and international (the relations between industrialised nations and developing countries. Besides, it is obvious that many educational systems are not centred on the need of the target population in terms of professional and vocational training. This is a current problem that increases the numbers of jobless people among the women and young people and accordingly urging them for immigration.

This presentation analyses some aspects of immigration along with focus on fundamental causes and finally provides some tentative solutions that might help to address the issue.

Promoting suitable education and training inside the country that leads up to sustainable life chances counters the desire and necessity to leave,

To encourage (young) people to become part of their country’s positive development –

Dr. Maria RIEHL, WFWPI UN Office -Vienna/Austria, Opening

H.E. Ms. Oumou SALL SECK, Ambassador of the Republic of Mali, Welcoming remarks

Mamadou Kone, M.E.S., Hon. Consul of Mali to Austria:”Quality Education in response to local needs” Keynote speech

Christophe Dupont BAGGIO, Master in European Studies, management of EU projects, FH Burgenland , University of Applied Sciences. “European Union and African Cooperation”

Ms. Mariam Sylla, Mr.Bourama Doumbia, Open University, Bamako/Mali, “Urgent needs of the young for Economic and Social Development”

Ms. Catherin DIARRA, President of WFWP - Mali: Educational program of WFWP Mali

Closing: Renate Amesbauer, President WFWP Austria

MC: Francesca Cirelli- Gundacker

Organizers: Women’s Federation for World Peace International (WFWPI)

HE. Mr. Mamadou Kone, M.E.S., Hon. Consul of Mali to Austria, Co-founder and Executive officer of “Klumpfussprojekt MALI”, Founder UPB: (OPEN UNIVERSITY), Mali

youtu.be/sfqjtVaUYa0

Prevention of involuntary Migration through Quality Education and Empowerment of Women and Young people 10111 Session of the Conference o f Lho Parties United Nations Convnntlon against Trnnsnntlonal Organlsnd Crlmn- UNTOC, UN Vienna, Side Event- vinual , 13. October 2020

Tho thematic discussion Is on the subject of “Ellectlvo measures to prevent and counter tho smugglfng of migrants, while protecting the rights of smugglnd migrants, partlcularly women and children, and those of unaccompanied migrant children•.

The question of emigration / immigration being voluntary or non -voluntary is linked to political , social and economic considerations. To address this heated problematfc there are needs for deeper analysis of the situation at different level; national (Institutions and the question of governance) and International (the relations between Industrialised nations and developing countries. Besides. It Is obvious that many educational systems are not centred on the need of the target population In terms of professional and vocational training. This Is a current problematic that increases the numbers of jobless people among the women and young people and accordingly urging them for Immigration.

This presentation analyses some aspects of Immigration along whh focus on fundamental causes and finally provides some tentative solutions that might help to address the issue.

Speakers • Dr. Marla RIEHL, WFWPI UN Office -Vienna/Austria, Opening • H.E. Ms. Oumou SALL SECK, Ambassador of the Republic of Mall, Welcoming remarks • Mamadou Kone, M.E.S., Hon. Consul of Mall to Au strla:”Qua/lty Education In response to local needs” Keynote speech • Christophe Dupont BAGGIO, Historian and European studies graduate from FH Burgenland, University of Applied Sciences. “ European Union and African Cooperation “ • Ms. Mariam Sylla, Mr_Bourama Doumbfa, Open University, Bamako/Mall, “ Urgent needs of the young for Economic and Socia/ Development “ • Ms. Catherin DIARRA, President o f WFWP - Mall: Educational program of WFWP Mall • • Closing: Renate Amesbauer, President WFWP Austria

Organizers;. Women ·s Federation for World Peace International (WFWPI) HE. Mr. Mamadou Kone, M.E.S., Hon. Consul of Mall to Austria, Co-founder and Executive olflcer of “Klumpfussprojekt MALI”, Founder UPS: (OPEN UNIVERSITY) , Mali 1

Summary Report •••

Or. Marla Riehl, Director of WFWP. UN Vienna Office. presented the opening remarks. She first emphasised 1.ha1 WFWP suppons the goals ol UNTOC lhrough preventatlve measures by raising awareness ol baslc e01e values and promoting character education tor children and Youth.

Dr. Rlehl relerred 10 Iha 1600 Japanese WFWP members who lelt their homes 26 years ago 10 1ravel 10 160 nations 10 share core values and Invest In lhe lives ol local women to create bridges ol peace and educational projects, many ol which still exist today. This was an initiative of Dr. Hak Ja Han Moon, Founder ol WFWPI and her la1e husband Rev. Or. Sun Myung Moon. The WFWP mlsslon statement suppons tho dignity ol women as representatlves ol the lemlnlne aspect ol the Unlverse, as wives, co- panners, co-wo,kers, and molhers. Thus, lhey created ‘Btldges of Peace and Recond llatlon’ ceremonies between lormer enemy countries. but just as Important between the ethnlcal, refiglous communities. that live side by side within a nation, and are olten in conllict wilh each othorl

Current WFWP activities are locuslng on the SGD ortented topic to protect planet Eanh for humankind to live In peace and harmony. Those activities have brought Dr Riehl into contact with many value• oriented people lrom civil society and other o,ganisations. This conlerence has been 019anisod In cooperation with HE Mr Mamadou Kono 10 p1esen1 lhe results ol their analysis ol educational systems and to ofter solutions regarding the educational needs ol the target populations in Alrlcan countries. Dr Riehl concluded her remarks by thanking all who made tho ovont possible . … H.E. Ms. Oumou Sall Seek, Ambassador ol tho Republic ol Mall to Germany, Austria and olhor countries. Sha Is active tor lho cause or social and personal developme111 ol people In her country. She studied Development Polltlcs at the Unlve1slty or Bamako, and International Law at lhe International lnStitute of Human Rights, France.

H.E. Ms. Oumou Sall Seek views the conference topic as a priority issue due to lhe inc1easing numbers lleeing insecurity caused by armed conlllcts, extreme poverty and climatic conditions in search ol belier living conditions. Rolerring 10 Mall, she stated lhat h is conlronled regularty whh young people who risk crossing lhe desert to reach coastal countries 10 llnd work. She highlighted some major areas of Malian poUcy aimed al preventing Illegal immlgrallon by creatlng conditlons 10 support young people who will contribule 10 the future dovelopmen1 ol the counlry. Sho lhen elaborated on steps that have boon takon bolh lnslltullonally and legislallvely. Institutionally, a ministry was created 10 collaborate with lederal assoclallons of Malians abroad, and tho Higher Council of diaspora In the context ol Malian migration. Legislalively, major sectoral pollcles and ag1eements were crea1ed, which led to lhe adoptlon ol 1he Nallonal Migration Polley (PONAM) In 2014 with a subs1antial budge!, part ol which is dedicated 10 the link be1ween mlgrallon and development Mali Is 1he second country In Africa (after Nigeria) 10 have such a legal arsenal The PONAM raises awareness among potenlial candidates for migration In tho starting areas and the risks and dangers ol Irregular mlgra1lon. A lunher Act (in 2012) llgh1s against human 1rafllcking and related practices. According to Hor Ex.celloncy, Mall is both lnslitulionally and legislatively supporting youlh initiatives and women’s empowerment

However, she acknowledged 1ha1 this polrtlcal will ls now faced wilh dlfllC\JII securhy and socio-pollllcal challenges and lnsufllcion1rosourc:es and lhus appealed 10 1echnlcal and financial partners In the field of migralion to support countries with high rates of emigration. She concluded by thanking the organizers for the great initiative of this video conference and all participantS. … Mamadou Kono, M.E.S., Hon. Consul of Mnll to Austria Consultant, lntorna.tiona.1roloUon (Education, health and human rights)

Mr. Mamadou Kone, oommonced his address by greeting and thanking all participants, He stated 1ha1 while migration has mulliple aspeas, ha would fOC\Js on twO areas: • nationally, lhe aducalional needs of young people • in1ernalionally, wln-win-cooperalion belween 1he North and Soulh.

He hlghligh1ed lhe need for educatJOnal sys1oms in Africa 10 off or lhe neoessal)’ vocational 11aining 10 lhe target population to reduce 1he rate of youth unemploymen1, and resulllngly, tho number of economic migrants to Europe. Furthermore, he urged that quality targeled professional and voanlonal ocfucatlon be al the centre of development pollcies. Ha loC\Jsed on Iha educational needs In Mall as a case In polnL Training in mining, agrlC\Jiluro, livestock or fishing management, IT skllls, handicraft skills would generate more fobs, Increase labour p,oductlvlty and provide expertise In a specific trade. The promotion of enuepreneurlal skiffs rosultlng In start-ups and small businesses would tackle unomploymonl directly and migration Indirectly. Tho lntoma1ional aspect he rofor,ed 10 was tho ostabllshment of win,wln coopera1fon botwoon lho countries of 1he North and South, which he believes requires 1ha urgent transformation of Fair Trade wilh African countries 1ha1 have no1 benefited from 1he sale or raw materials or olhor natural resources. Fair Coopcratlon and Transfor of Knowledgo, e.g. In 1ochnology. for suslalnablo developmen1 can address lhe quosllons or mlgralion In a credible manner. In conclusion, he suggested lhal lho conference recommendalions should serve as guidelines for lhe Unl1ed Na1ions and other partners such as the European Union and Alrican Union . •••

EU migration atratoglos, stat.o of play, challongos and prospects Christophe Dupont-Baggio, Unlvorsily of Applled Sciences FH Burgenland, Departmenl of European Sludles, Austtla. Mr Baggio stated 1hat mlgralfon hes been a cen1ral Issue for lhe EU, partlcula~y since 2015 when weaknesses In the common European policy on migration emerged, causing tensions wl1hln 1he EU. He lndlca1ed 1he need for a common asylum policy and ex1ernal border control. He offered his observations on the EU mlgrallon st1a1egy, Its challenges and perspectives. Since lhe Treaty of Amsterdam In 1997, lhe EU defines the conditions of entl)’ and residence for legal migrants, encourages Member States 10 take ln1egration measures, and alms to prevent and reduce Irregular migration. Each Member Stale can, unilaterally, choose a desired number of ‘economic· mlgron1s. Tho EU now con11ols Its borders 10 1hlrd coun1rios, which can bo problomallc dlplomatlcally when migrants are used as a means or pressure during ln1erna1lona1 nego1lallons (Turkey), and humanely

where thousands of llves aro somolimes 1hrea1enecl by local au1horilies (Libya) . Ho does no1view this as a long-term solution. Furthermore, the EU has frequently shifted its migration policy strategies from a security-conscious approach to a moro comprehensive one. He referred to Iha activities of the Frontex agency (border police, lntolllgenco and control workers), against peOf)le smugglers. Mr Baggio highlighted the EU’s engagement In bilateral dialogue l’<lth African partners regarding lhe readmission ol illegal nationals to their country of origin, including in1egration and suppon. However. he believes there Is a lack of knowlecge and underStanding of Africa and concluded tha1 the EU must croale 1rust In order 10 build susuilnoble policies based on bBaleraUsm while slmulianeousfy ur>derstanding 1he complex nature ol each panner. … Mariam Amty Sylla, Trainer, Founding Member of 1ho association that supports leadership a1 the Unlverslt6 Populalre de Bamako, Is commltled to educallon and women’s empowerment She promotes 1he preservation of the ecosystem and quality educalion lor youth and is also a gender, dovolopmenl and women’s leadership trainer In rural areas. Ms. Sylla explained lhat although Mali has many developmen1 programs 10 fight poverty and youth unemployment young people are discouraged by mismanagement due 10 bad govomanco and corruption ar>d s1111 want 10 emigrate. She 1hus expressed 1he need 10 establlsh rela1lons between Industrialized and dovelOfllnA countries. Her suAS1es1lons were presen1ed ur>der four headlOAS, A. Adaptablllty of education: The system noods 10 adapt to tho employment needs of the target population In terms of vocational training and modom technical education 10 proparo for futuro-orian1od prolosslons. B. Community lovol activities: Mayors should create economic actlvhles 10 fn1egra1e employable youth Into their campaigns C. Tourism: This sector Should be expanded and revltaJIZed In areas outside the north of the country (Mopti). D. Ecosystem: Tho environment needs protection as Increased rural poverty Is appearing duo 10 environmental degradation. This particularly affects women who had suppo”ed their family throuAh harvesting such products as shea butler, soumbala, cashews, dried fish. The women need re-training but the high IIU1eracy ra1e presents obslacles. … .1&,;::::::===--, Bourama Doumbla. Secretary for External Relations of the RJPPM (Youlh Network ol Young Pollllcal Parties of MalQ. and Founding Member of the UPB (Bamako Pooplo’s University). Mr. Bourama Doumbla’s Intervention program rocuses on the needs of lhe youth. He Is commhted to quality education for young people He Usts cllma1e change with its Impact on agricullure, low incomes, local conlliets. and a search for a bolter fife as cho main reasons for emigration among African youth. He offers practical solutions. such as training and r.nanclal support for youth In entrepreneurship and agribusiness: in BTP (Economic S8Clor ol Building and Public Works): education In craft•cullure activities and managing Startups and technological innovalions. He Staled many Africans aro active in agriculture and crafts, but investment Is needed to absorb youlh unemployment to create sustained economic grow,h and a boner future. 4

… Catherine Dlarra, President of WFWP Milli, Malhs & Science Teacher In Middle School; Mo1her ol seven children and grandmother of 4 grandsons; Mrs. Dlarra has been active wllh WFWP - Mall chapter, and 11s preslden1 since 2000.

Ms Dlarra commenced her address by greeling the speak8is and gues1s and expressing her thanks lor the lnvltallon 10 partlcipa1e. She 1hen described 1he work of WFWP (FFPM) Mall, whose focus lies In educallonal programs 10< you1h and women 10 promote peace and social cohesion. Ms Dlarra elabora1ed lurther on projects carried our over the lasl 25 years. These Include character educallon In sehools 10 promole lhe practice of moral and elhlcal values, heallhy lifestyle. and rho prevention of HIV/AIDS. STDs. and tho spread of viruses. Women’s leadership training programs provide oducalion on a cullure of peace In lhe lamlly, marllal harmony and irue family values. Women are encouraged 10 be peacemakers In the lamlly and community. Over 2,000 s1uden1s lrom more 1han 20 schools have comple1ed lhe educa1lonal programs. More 1han 3000 women have signed up as participants In lhe Mo1hers lor Peace ne1work. Ms. Olarra concluded her talk wilh a slide show or various ae1lvllios undertaken by WFWP Man. •••

Closing words by Renale Amesbauer, WFWP Austria president: Mrs Amesbauer once more !hanked everyone ol lho speakers for 1he support of lhe event; • espoclally sho thanked Her Excellency 1he Ambassador Ms. Oumou Sail Seek, lor her inspiring and encouraging words, and lhat she took lhe rime to be wilh us 1hroughout the evenll Mrs. Amesbauer thanked all 1he llsteners, coming lrom over 30 nationali1los Including 22 Alrican na1lons, so lhal 1oge1her we can spread 1he Inspiration and new ways of cooporation may develop!

A special Thanks goes to His Excellency Mr. Mamadou Kone, who has been 1he active partner ol WFWP UN Ollice Vienna in the preparalions ol 1hls event! Thank You all! May God’s Blessing and guidance be wilh you and all ol us In lhe lu1ure sleps 1ha1 wfll bo taken!

The you tube link lor the recording: ht1ps;/tyou1u,be/sla11YaUYaO