Nairobi - Good migration governance at the continental, regional and national levels requires quality, harmonized migration data to support evidence-based strategies and effective implementation and monitoring. To achieve this, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) Regional Data Hub for East and Horn of Africa has teamed up with the Global Migration Data Analysis Centre (GMDAC) to launch an online course:"Introductory Course to Migration Data in Africa"

Developed as part of a greater initiative to sustain capacity building activities with National Statistical Offices (NSOs) and migration data stakeholders during the COVID-19 pandemic, this course is intended for mid- and senior-level officials directly involved in the planning, design or management of migration data in relevant government ministries and agencies. 

While the training content is particularly relevant for officials in NSOs covering migration-related activities in the East and Horn of Africa region, the course may also be of interest to those working on related topics.

Hosted on the E-Campus Platform, the course is composed of three modules.

The first module focuses on key concepts, definitions and sources of migration data. It addresses migration-related Sustainable Development Goals, the African Union Migration Policy framework, data innovation and strategies to disseminate migration data. The second module has a strong focus on migration data development in the East and Horn of Africa. It concentrates on best practices in collecting, sharing and harmonizing migration data at the national and regional levels, and highlights Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) migration data initiatives. Module 3 provides an in-depth focus on migration data from traditional sources, such as national population censuses, dedicated migration surveys and administrative records. 

All modules include short testimonial videos from migration data experts and practitioners. As a self-paced e-learning exercise, learners can self-assess their understanding through built-in questions.

A Certificate of Completion will be issued by IOM to all participants who successfully complete the course. 

The development of the course was made possible with the support of the United States Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration (PRM), the European Union-IOM Joint Initiative, and the German Federal Ministry of the Interior, Building and Community (BMI).

For more information contact Najma AHMED HUSSEIN, Migration Data Consultant, at nahussein@iom.int and Laura NISTRI, Regional Data Coordinator, at lnistri@iom.int.