The International Organization for Migration, in collaboration with the Ethiopian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA), is holding a five-day seminar on diaspora mapping in Addis Ababa.

For this first-of-its-kind seminar, IOM has invited specialists on labour migration and development to deepen the knowledge and sharpen the skills of officials from MOFA in Ethiopia and Ethiopian missions abroad. The seminar aims to equip the trainees with skills on how to design, conduct and report on diaspora mapping exercises as well as related topics associated with diaspora engagement.

As part of consecutive discussions on areas of collaboration between IOM and the Government of Ethiopia on diaspora engagement in Ethiopia, this diaspora mapping seminar is organized in response to the request for support specified by MOFA during the discussions held in the months of April and May 2014.

Out of the various areas of collaboration stipulated under the framework of the Ethiopian diaspora policy, diaspora mapping is one of the core areas which were given priority by the government as it is considered the basis for any diaspora engagement intervention. Other areas of collaboration that have been prioritized are the establishment of institutional and legal frameworks to further implement the diaspora policy, enhancing development potential of remittances and facilitating knowledge and skills transfer. The capacity-building exercise aims to contribute to the enhancement of knowledge and skill of the participants so that they will be able to make significant contributions to the mapping exercises that will be conducted in major destination countries. 

The workshop, which is being held from June 30^th to July 5^th, is being attended by 26 diaspora focal points from 26 Ethiopian embassies abroad and nine officials from the Diaspora Engagement Affairs Directorate of the MOFA.