Another chapter in IOM’s effort to promote the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly, and Regular Migration (GCM) has reached Malang. As a champion country of the GCM, Indonesia is dedicated to protecting and fulfilling migrants' rights to promote safe, orderly, and regular migration. To advance this commitment, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA), in collaboration with the International Organization for Migration (IOM), hosted a “Youth Dialogue: Unpacking the Global Compact for Migration” at the Universitas Brawijaya on Monday, 10 June 2024. The dialogue was attended by 211 students and civil society organizations.

“The appeal of better opportunities abroad is undeniable. Migration can be advantageous, only, and if only, it is properly governed and conducted with awareness, in a safe, orderly, and regular manner,” said Jeffrey Labovitz, IOM Indonesia’s Chief of Mission in his remark.

Prof. Anang Sujoko, the Dean of Faculty of Social and Political Science, during opening session said, “the dialogue is paramount in highlighting the importance of students and youth in understanding migration and interactions among countries. Unpacking the GCM also became an urgent matter to achieve a common understanding of the main goal of migration”.

The dialogue presented five prominent speakers including Penny Dewi Herasati from MOFA who provided an overview of the GCM and its implementation in Indonesia; Diah Zahara from IOM Indonesia who delved into the history, principles, and objectives of the GCM; Mochammad Yekti Pracoyo from the Department of Manpower of Malang Regency who shared insights on best practices and the successful implementation of the GCM at the local level; Henny Rosalinda, lecturer from the Department of International Relations, Universitas Brawijaya, who showcased strengthening protections for Indonesian female migrant workers; and Tony Wibawa from MOFA who addressed the issue of online scams and  preventive measures.

"Academia can contribute to the research on migration policy, monitor the implementation of the migration policies by the government, help to prevent irregular migration in their communities, and support the implementation of the Law No. 18 of 2017 concerning the Protection of Indonesian Migrant Workers,” said Penny.

The dialogue continued with the screening of IOM and the MOFA’s “Through the Screen”, a short movie based on a true story that showcased a human trafficking story for the online scam industry. This joint collaboration has been effective in promoting and supporting the implementation of the GCM by all stakeholders.

The dialogue was part of the “Migration Governance for Sustainable Development in Indonesia” joint programme, funded by the Migration Multi-Partner Trust Fund. This dialogue aimed to educate university students and the public about the GCM’s implementation in Indonesia and shared best practices of migration governance at the local level.