European Commission –United Nation Joint Migration &
Development Initiative (EC-UN JMDI)
EC-UN Major Visibility Event
“Media Awareness Conference on EC-UN Joint Migration &
Development Initiative funded projects and Migration & Development
in Sri Lanka.”
Final Report.
By International Organization for Migration, Sri Lanka.
(EC-UN JMDI Focal Point Service provider for Sri Lanka.)
1
Introduction
Date: 03rd September, 2010
Time: 9.30 am – 12.00 pm
Venue: Sri Lanka Foundation Institute Auditorium, Colombo 07.
PARTICIPANTS:
1. Head Table
Dr. Christian Raitz Von Frentz, Programme Manager , EC Delegation, Colombo.
Dr Fredrick Abeyratne, Senior Programme Analyst (Migration Focal point), UNDP.
Mr. Richard Danziger, Chief of Mission, IOM Sri Lanka.
Mr. Ralf Thill, Country Director, ASB.
Mr. Daya Muthukumarana – Chairman - SEEDS.
2.
Key Personnel
Ms. U. Gunasekara, Additional director, Ministry of External Affairs.
Ms Promo Weerasekara , ILO, Colombo.
Mr. K.O.D.D Fernando (Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment –SLBFE)
Mr. Mangala Randeniya, Acting Deputy General Manager, SLBFE.
Mr.Malcom Lewis,Migration Delivery Officer, British High Commission.
Ms.S.Speedie , British High Commission.
Mr.Nigel Muir,First Secretary, Immigration Compliance, Australian High Commission.
Mr. Eike Schroeder, German Embassy, Colombo.
Mr.Gianluca Rubagotti, Deputy Head of Mission, Embassy of Italy, Colombo.
Mr.Shakila Wijewardena,Managing Director of the SEEDS.
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SEEDS:


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Mr. Saminda Kodithuwakku – Program Coordinator to Sri Lanka (Remittance Project)
Mr. Prasanna Kumara – Client Preparation Coordinator
Ms. Cheryl de Jonk – Financial Sector Coordinator
LOLC:


Mr. Brindley De Zylva – Managing Director (LOFIN)
Ms. Roshani Weerasekara – AGM Marketing
3. Media
Representatives from several major print, television and radio stations including Derana TV, ART
TV, MTV Channel, ITN (Independent Television Network), Teleshan Network (TNL)
Thinakkural News paper, Virakesari News Paper
Sath FM , Sri Lanka broadcasting cooperation (SLBC),
ETV, Max Television, Shakti, Daily Mirror and Daily News.
4. Host
Mr. M. Farook
5. Acadamic représentatives
National institute of Social Development Masters degree Program students,
University of Colombo students.
University of Kalaniya students.
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Summery about the event.
The conference made key visibility coverage for the European Commission United Nation Joint Migration
& Development Initiative (EC-UN JMDI) funded projects in Sri Lanka.
The conference “Media awareness conference on EC-UN Joint Migration and development Initiative
funded projects and Migration & Development in Sri Lanka.” was carried out under the following
objectives .
1) Disseminate the JMDI funded projects information, objectives & deliverables.
2) Analyze the migration & development relationship, global and country level perspectives,
connection and importance of migration in national development.
Representatives from different organization participated in this event including electronic and print media
journalist. In addition to the targeted media personals following important representatives also contributed
for the event; Representative from EC Mission Colombo, UNDP, ILO, UNFPA, IOM chief of mission.,
British & Australian High Commissions, German and Italy Embassies migration focal point officials,
External Affairs Ministry representatives & Sri Lanka bureau of foreign employment (SLBFE- Government
Regulating body for the Foreign Employment) officials. Furthermore Higher education institutes and
migration & development sector field research institutes and practitioners were also among the
participants.
The senior management of ASB Country Director, SEEDS Chairman & Managing director, representative
of Sewalanka Foundation and field staff also joined for the conference. All the three project partners
demonstrated their activities (Including the past activities, success stories, printed reports, photos,
booklets & news letters and attractive ten mints short film from Sewalanka Foundation) during the
conference in separate stalls .
Each participant received a Media kit with further detailed information with regard to JMDI & M&D,
including JMDI fast facts, two press release issued by the JMDI PMU and Human migration guide such as
“The M4D communities of practices join our community”, “SEEDS newsletter on Remittance Secrets in Sri
Lanka”, “ASB news letter about JMDI, Sewalanka success stories”.
After the event Sri Lankan electronic (Radio & TV) media delivered the news regarding the event. UNDP,
IOM & Project Partners (SEEDS, Sewalanka & ASB) had done the related presentations for delivery of
more effective information dissemination.
The Full conference recorded in audio format and uploaded in to the JMDI website.
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See below for a detail Activity schedule:
On behalf of the EC-UN Joint Migration & Development Initiative Ajith Gamage the focal point
personnel gave a welcome speech and warmly welcomed all the guests and the participants.
Media agencies and reporters were covering the event from the beginning to capture the valuable
information’s & deliverables.
As a focal point for the EC-UN JMDI, IOM Colombo Chief of mission and Head of the Migration
management unit also participated. There by the keynote was delivered by Mr. Richard Danziger chief of mission, IOM Sri Lanka. Mr,Danziger appraised the generous contribution received from
European Commission and as well as the other related UN agencies who helped in the process for
JMDI Implementation. Partner organizations contributions were also appreciated by during the speech.
Mr, Danziger pointed out the Migration & Development’s global events including the UN high level
dialog in the context of GFMD and JMDI. The speech conduced by him made much gratitude for the
national actors who are working for migration & development sector in Sri Lanka. At the latter part of
the speech migrant issues and its benefit were noted and appreciation was demonstrated for the
contribution made by EC for this two thematic projects in Sri Lanka and elaborated the importance of
the migration and developments elements and delivers towards achieving the M&D goals.
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After this positive speech, UNDP migration focal point & JMDI country focal point Dr. Fredrick
Abeyratne was invited to describe and disseminate the objectives of the EC-UN joint migration &
development initiatives. Dr. Abeyratne clearly explained the migration & development linkages and
how its phenomenon came in to being. Dr. Fredrick Abeyratne elaborated how migration correlation
linked with the millennium development goals according to the 2009 human development report. Both
positive and negative impacts were explained through this presentation. Areas of improvement that
needed to be develop and achieved through M&D targets were also discussed. Dr. Fredrick Abeyratne
also pointed out on the context volubility of EC-UN JMDI intervention. Finally the EC-UN JMDI project
frame work, four thematic areas and what kinds of projects were received by Sri Lanka under this
initiative were also explained. The project details, its national & international partners who are involved
in those projects were also mentioned.
Dr.Abeyratne’s explanation and brief introduction initiated a very clear understanding concerning the
project and how it’s working within the country.
Mr. Shantha Kulasekara , Head Migration Management Unit , gave his comments after the introduction
provided by the compeer to enhance the awareness sessions. Mr. Kulasekara focused on how
migration associates with the national development. Through Mr. Kulasekara’s
presentation
migration, means of migrations and reasons for the migrations were explained. Trends & positive and
negative impacts also presented. Then he pointed out how Diaspora community and its distribution,
linked with the development. Migration key development potentials, explain which actions needs to be
taken place in maximizing the migration impact. He also gave an analytical explanation in his brief
presentation.
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In the midst of the tea break all participant got opportunity to see the two stalls that were constructed
by the project partners. The stalls included most of field and policy levels work which had being
implemented through this funding opportunity, Where participants and guests were able to gather the
more information regarding the JMDI implementation in Sri Lanka. This interaction made positive
contribution and an opportunity for project partners to show their community of practice with a
respective background. Project partner’s field staff got maximum benefit from this to explain the
details and implementation practices to the community.
Sr 243 project partner made an attractive stall using their training materials, posters, banners what
they prepared for the previous training programs. They projected the past activity photos by using the
projector.
Sr 128 Migrant Access project partners (SLF & ASB) also displayed valuable deliverable materials
including the map of the targeted project area, photos from the field activities, success stories, small
documentary film ( This is very attractive & innovative ), project posters & leaflets.
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After the break ,participants were involved with the project partner’s presentations. This helps to
deliver entire project information for the target group.
Sr 243 Leveraging Remittances for Socio-economic Development in Sri Lanka project coordinator. Mr.
Saminda Kodittuwakku gave a presentation on aim of the project, their targeted beneficiaries, reasons
for selecting the European market, implementing approaches, policy level enhancement (National
Remittance Forum), activities what they done in the field (Remittance literacy program. He also
emphasized on Enterprise Development Program, Financial literacy programs in Europe, Remittance
product development with LOLC) & contact detail for the further communication .
Remittance sector engagement & its information is new conceptual area for the Sri Lanka as well as
the Sri Lankan Media. This opportunity benefited simultaneously for the media personals and the
project partners.
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Sr 128 Migrant ACCESS project presentations started there after. On behalf of the ASB project partner
Mr. Mohomad Azkah presented the project deliverables & its entire components to the audience to make
awareness about the on going project.
During the presentation Mr. Mohomad Azkah elaborated the followings components; brief introduction
about project geographical location and divisional secretariat (Hambantota district divided in to 12
divisional secretariat & ASB working at the 7 out of 12 divisional secretariat) & project overall targets were
explained.
He also mentioned the achieved progress, field experience, impact of the field level interventions &
issues faced at the field level, Community of practice and their findings also described. This information
was contributed to the audience to make conversations. There after a open discussion session was
conducted.
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Mr. Ajith Tennakoon from Sewalanka Foundation presented the Partner level final presentation
to audience. Through this presentation background information, cause to create Working practice
including the selection criteria, field visit, information gathering & coordination with other
stakeholders were also mentioned.
Information dissemination strategies, its impact & training activities were also explained to the
audience. Finally SLF presentation discussed the key lessons, best practices & constrains
Form the field and to the field.
He also emphasized on Context of labor migration (especially for females) aspects.& then
Project overall objectives and assistance were clearly elaborated through this presentation.
Specific objectives were explained and elaborated the economic empowerment and re integration
activities by the sustainable economic measures and training.
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Open discussion initiated a valuable opportunity to the participants and media personals to answer the
more information from the project implementing partners. Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment
representatives, Journalist & academics had few clarifications from project partners. Three of the project
partners reply on few questions which arise from the audience.
Lastly vote of thanks delivered by JMDI focal point rep. Ajith Gamage on behalf of the IOM Sri Lanka and
invited all for lunch.
I attached herewith the JMDI Agenda, five presentations & recorded audio as annexes.
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Annex-1: Agenda
JMDI Funded Projects & Migration and Development in Sri Lanka.
Media Awareness Conference.
03rd September 2010 at Sri Lanka foundation Institute – Colombo
AGENDA
Time
01
02
9.30AM. to 10.00A.M.
Event
-
Registration
-
Inauguration
10.00 A.M. to 10.05 A.M.
Welcome speech By Mr.Ajith Gamage,
Project coordinator- Focal Point for JMDI - IOM.
10.05 A.M. to 10.15 A.M.
Keynote address – Mr. Richard Danziger
-
Chief Of Mission IOM.
03
10.15 A.M. to 10.25 A.M.
- Objective of the EC-UN Joint migration and Development
Initiative? Presented By Dr.Fredrick Abeyratne, Senior Programme
Analyst, UNDP, Colombo.
- Relationship and importance of Migration for National development?
04
10.25 A.M. to 10.45 A.M.
Presentation Presented by Mr. Shantha Kulasekara
Head – Migration Management, IOM.
05
10.45A.M to 11.00A.M
-
Tea Break
- Funded Project Objectives, progress and new findings/Community
06
Of practice Presented by SEEDS/ Sewalanka and ASB Project Partners.
11.00A.M. to 11.10 A.M.
- SEEEDS- Mr. Saminda Kodituwakku
11.00A.M. to 11.20 A.M
- ASB
11.20A.M. to 11.30 A.M
-
07
11.30am to 11.55 A.M
- Open Discussion.
08
11.55AM to 12.00 PM
- Vote of Thank By Mr.Ajith Gamage.
09
12.00PM
- Lunch
- Mr. M.Z.M.Azkah
Sewalanka Foundation Mr. Ajith Tennakoon
(Project coordinator).
(Project coordinator).
(Project coordinator).
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