Project PRAYAS to help Indian youth migrate abroad
Context: Recently, the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) launched Project PRAYAS to help Indian workers and students migrate in a secure, orderly, and regular manner.
PRAYAS
Project PRAYAS, which stands for Promoting Regular Assisted Migration for Youth and Skilled Professionals, was initiated in collaboration with the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).
It represents one of the initial efforts to bring together various state-level initiatives aimed at ensuring secure, organized, and well-managed international migration.
The primary objective of Project PRAYAS is to support the safe, organized, and regular migration of Indian migrant workers and students.
This is to be achieved through the formulation of policy recommendations in partnership with the MEA and state governments, thereby enhancing the governance of international migration.
The project seeks to conduct a comprehensive study, capturing essential migration trends, the needs and aspirations of migrants, and significant international migration and mobility initiatives undertaken by both the central and state governments.
The findings of this analysis will be shared with the Ministry, contributing to informed decision-making in the realm of international migration.International Organization for Migration
Established in 1951, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) is a UN agency dedicated to promoting humane and orderly migration. IOM provides advice on migration policy, supports migrants globally, and addresses evolving migration dynamics.
The organization operates in emergencies, enhancing the resilience of people on the move, especially in vulnerable situations, and helps build government capacity to manage various forms and impacts of mobility.
IOM, guided by the UN Charter, upholds human rights, dignity, and the well-being of migrants as fundamental principles. Currently, IOM has 175 Member States and 8 states with Observer status, with India becoming a Member State in 2008.
International Organization for Migration
The International Organization for Migration (IOM), established in 1951, operates as a specialized agency under the United Nations (UN) with a primary focus on promoting the humane and organized movement of people.
The IOM defines a migrant as an individual who relocates from their usual place of residence, whether within a country or across international borders, either temporarily or permanently, and for various reasons.
At the behest of states, the IOM extends its support not only to migrants but also to internally displaced persons, refugees, and other displaced populations. Its efforts span four main areas: migration and development, facilitating migration, regulating migration, and addressing forced migration.