The main aim of the project is to develop campaign materials and build capacity for organizations working on anti-trafficking in the UK, Nigeria and Morocco to use these materials to mount campaigns toward reducing trafficking during the 2012 London Olympics. The specific objectives of the Beyond Irregularity: Towards a sustainable approach to dealing with irregular migration from Sub-Saharan Africa to Europe – project are:
- Enhance the institutional capacity of government and civil society actors through training and collaborative research in countries of origin and transit to combat illegal migration, migrant smuggling and trafficking in human beings
- Address knowledge gaps about recent developments and trends regarding irregular migration between Sub-Saharan Africa and Europe through collaborative action-oriented research
- Strengthen the protection of migrant’s rights in transit countries
- Raise awareness about the risks of irregular migration and exploitation by trafficking networks, particularly in countries that experience high levels of outward migration
- Provide a strategic and sustainable framework for dialogue and cooperation around irregular migration and trafficking between EU member states and countries of origin and transit
Activities of this project in UK, Nigeria and Morocco include:
- A 2-day training workshop on participatory interviewing techniques for researchers working returnee irregular migrants
- Interviewing of a sample of irregular migrants to understand their ability to reintegrate
- Build the capacity of agencies and NGOs to use campaign materials targeted at reducing irregular migration for the 2012 London Olympics
- Share findings with a Project Steering Committee and NAPTIP to receive inputs to better interpret findingsT
- Timeline of the overall project including final reports: March 2011 to March 2013
Timeline for Nigeria activities
In Nigeria, three NGOs are working together under the guidance of the development Research and Projects Centre to carrying out the four activities listed above. The NGOs working together on this project are:
- The dRPC is a local non-profit registered formed by group of University lecturers from Bayero University Kano. The mission of the group is to build capacity for participatory development through partnership building. To build and sustain partnerships the dRPC works through the Partners Centre to collaborate with NGOs as well as Nigerian government agencies. In 2006 we were one of the first NGOs to sign a Memorandum of Understanding with the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS).
- The Save the Child Initiative, is an NGO formed in 2001 and led by Abdulganiyu A. Abubakar. With its tag line: Every Child is asked for: They All Count: Lets Do Everything Humanly Possible to Protect Children Anywhere, Everywhere – Save the Child is committed to improving the quality of life for young children by working for their protection and against child trafficking. Save the Child Initiative is at the forefront of regional NGO networks working for similar objectives.
- Public Enlightenment Projects, PEP is an NGO which has a distinguished track record implementing NACA funded HIV/AIDS interventions in Northern Nigeria. PEP has a national reach as its head office is locate in Imo state. PEP has a strong gender focus and has recently begun programming in the area of trafficking in persons.