Number of assignments
For the month of February, four CD4D participants started their assignments of whom one went to Sierra Leone, one to Somalia, and two to Ethiopia. Similarly, six participants returned safely to the Netherlands of whom three from Somalia, one from Iraq one from Ethiopia, and one from Sierra Leone.
The “Research for Life” Project
The Keihan Foundation, an Afghan diaspora organization in the Netherlands, is in the middle of setting up an online education platform as part of the “Research for Life” project. The platform allows eligible post-doctoral researchers in the Netherlands to provide training to students and professionals of the Kabul Medical University in Afghanistan. The Post-doctoral researchers in the Netherlands will supervise PhD students and medical researchers in their research thesis so that after three years they can obtain a PhD degree which is the new policy of the Afghan Ministry of Higher Education and Ministry of Health.
Study Visit from Afghanistan to Leiden University: Mr. Zalmai
Mr. Saniullah Zalmai, the Head of Anatomy Department of Kabul Medical University, is conducting a study visit at the Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC) Department of Anatomy and Embryology for two months. The aim of the study visit is to receive training in the specimen preparation techniques, dissection and anatomical teaching. His study visit is an integrated part of the “Re-introduction of Anatomical and Dissection Programme in Afghanistan” project, which is implemented by Keihan Foundation in cooperation of LUMC, Kabul Medical University and IOM.
Success Story: Mustafa Ahmed
Mustafa Ahmed is a Dutch-Somali Captain residing in Europe’s largest port: Rotterdam. Having gained the knowledge, skills and experience in marine topics, he decided it was the right time to give back to his country of origin. Through CD4D he was able to train staff from the Ministry of Fishery and Agriculture as well as the Berbera Maritime Fishery Academy. The Berbera Port is the commercial capital of Somaliland where knowledge is high in demand. Mustafa taught his students about modern fishing techniques and navigation devices.
“CD4D in Iraq” Event at the Embassy of Iraq in the Netherlands.
In coordination with the Embassy of Iraq in the Netherlands, IOM will organize an event on 16 March in The Hague to present the CD4D project to potential candidates. Presentations will be held by, the Ambassador, a representative from Chamber of Commerce in Iraq, CD4D Project Coordinator, Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the IOM NL Chief of Mission. The event serves the purpose to inform Dutch-Iraqis about the ways in which they can contribute to the development of Iraq through knowledge transfer and entrepreneurship.
Adri Zagers in Somalia
Adri Zagers, Head of the Migration & Development Unit at IOM The Netherlands and member of the CD4D team, is currently on a monitoring and project support visit in Somalia. In the five weeks he will spend there, he will provide project management and project development support to the labour Migration and Human Development team in Mogadishu. His goals related to CD4D are to discuss progress with host institutions, participants and other relevant stakeholders. While there, he will also visit the Youth-Job centre in Borama, managed by SOSTA and supported by IOM through the “Work in Progess” project led by Oxfam Novib.
Kardelen Akkus Moving on
Kardelen Akkus has been an intern within the CD4D team since June 2018. Among her great accomplishments is the organisation of the CD4D “Diaspora in Action” Conference in October 2018. She also coordinated communication activities, including filling of the CD4D website and assisted with administrative tasks and project development. The last day of her internship is on 28 February. We are happy that this is not her last day at IOM the Netherlands. She will strengthen the Migrant Training, Integration and Resettlement (MTRI) team starting on 1 March.
January Update