The International Organization for Migration is an intergovernmental organization with headquarters in Geneva. It was initially established in 1951 as the Intergovernmental Committee for European Migration (ICEM) to help resettle people displaced by World War II.
Click here to learn more about IOM and our work in the Netherlands.
Migration and Development
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) also contributes to a better understanding of the links between international migration and development. Maximizing the positive relationship between migration and development has long been a focus of IOM’s work. IOM the Netherlands offers temporary physical and online return assignments to diaspora members who wish to use their professional knowledge and experience for the development of their home country.
Most migrants and their descendants have a shared sense of identity and belonging. They are connected to their country of residence, but also to their country of origin. They contribute to their new country, but can also be powerful development actors. Their expertise, cultural affinity and strong commitment can make them humanitarian actors in crisis situations, entrepreneurs in business, trade and innovation, as well as international experts and excellent agents for development.
Many diaspora experts living and working in the Netherlands remain strongly connected to their country of origin. Governments are aware of this and are increasingly developing a diaspora policy to facilitate the contribution of migrants.
Through the project Connecting Diaspora for Development (CD4D) IOM the Netherlands acts as facilitator and mediator between the diaspora and the institutions in the countries of origin.
Click here to learn more about the project.
