The objective of the Seminar was analyzing the different migratory models from a comprehensive perspective and offering tools to develop a strategy for understanding migration as a tool of economic development and social inclusion. The Seminar has been one of the first initiatives organized by the recently created National Institute of Migration within the Dominican Ministry of Home Affairs
The Dominican Republic is completing a phase of reforms in the institutional area involving positive steps towards strengthening the rule of law and democracy. In this context, the country has launched initiatives aimed at improving the management of migration, which is a national concern.
The seminar addressed the formulation, implementation and evolution of the public policy, in particular on migration areas such as naturalization processes, statistics and integration policies. This included the management of flows, reception and protection of the vulnerable population and legal, economic and social integration of this group. Nowadays, the dynamics of human mobility permeate international society and the INM is expected to outline some policy recommendations on migration, strengthening institutional networks with experts, public servers and civil society.
On the first day of the seminar, Club de Madrid staff officer Rafael Moreno introduced the participants to the Shared Societies Project main objectives. SSP publications and resources were offered as a tool for the identification of elements of inclusion and respect for diversity to be included in the migration policy from this perspective. Mr. Daniel de Torres, International Expert on Social Inclusion and Diversity and member of the Expert Advisory Panel of the Shared Societies Project, highlighted how an inclusive society should avoid second and first-class citizens. Daniel stressed that prejudices and rumours should be addressed in order to achieve an inclusive society explaining how the initiative “anti-rumours” was successfully developed in Barcelona.
The Club de Madrid mission held bilateral meetings with the Director of the National Institute of Migration, Dra. Flor Rojas, in order to discuss further cooperation on initiatives to promote social inclusion and diversity in the Dominican Republic. The mission also included a bilateral meeting with Margarita Cedeño, Vice-President of the Dominican Republic, who welcomed Club de Madrid efforts to support Social Cohesion in the Dominican Republic.
The agenda also included bilateral meetings with representatives of Dominican Civil Society and Foreign Missions to the country including the European Union Ambassador and the Director of the USAID’s office.
