Migration can be  a divisive  topic, making it challenging to question long-held assumptions and engage in constructive discourse. To support a more balanced and informed debate around migration, we organise events and activities that are informative, engaging , and relevant to UK communities, attracting a wide range of audiences. These activities create a space for engagement between local  communities and migrants, to challenge stereotypes and foster mutual understanding.

One of the most important and appealing events and activities is International Migrants Day, which is also most relevant to migrants in the UK and across the world. In 2000, the United Nations General Assembly declared 18 December as International Migrants Day, marking a day every year to reflect on the role of migrants in our societies, their positive contributions and the challenges they face in achieving their full potential and capabilities.

International Organization for Migration (IOM) in the UK has celebrated this significant day with partners and International Migrants Day Ambassador to mark the special day with migrants, by migrants and for migrants. This day reminds us that human rights are inherent to all people, not privileges to be earned through heroism or hardship, regardless of origin, age, gender and status.

Words matter and have real-life consequences. Hostile rhetoric causes tangible harm. International Migrants Day is an opportunity to promote more informed conversations on migration; and to share the stories and experiences of migrants. And nothing can compare with the power from migrants telling their own stories from first-hand experience. Thus, IOM UK's International Migrants Day Ambassador Programme has been set up by IOM UK since 2021 to empower people to tell their own migration stories and set their own narrative. International Migrants Day Ambassadors are trained to share their stories, using different platforms such as social media, writing editorials or engaging with the media.

"IMIX" is one of main partners in this field, who is a national NGO whose mission is to change the narrative around migration. This collaboration has allowed IOM UK to be accessible to a wider group of migrants and also to reach wider audiences. We emphasize that migration is a fundamental part of human society while highlighting migrants' valuable contributions to UK communities. We build skills that help them advocate for their rights and carry out media interviews confidently. Besides, over 40 organizations across the UK supported us, filling social media with positive messages around migration.

Explore IOM UK International Migrants Day Events

IOM UK is a member of the Refugee Week partnership, a nationwide programme of arts, cultural and educational events that celebrates the contribution of refugees to the UK and encourages a better understanding between communities. Refugee Week takes place every year around June 20th, to mark World Refugee Day.

An established part of the UK’s cultural calendar, Refugee Week is now one of the leading national initiatives working to counter negative rhetoric about immigration and highlighting the benefits it can bring to both refugees and host communities. In the UK, IOM’s Refugee Week events focus on inclusive and integrated communities. IOM believes integration involves two-way interactions where both migrants (including refugees) and communities build a common space to learn about each other’s experiences, traditions, and expectations. Shared interests provide one of the most effective pathways to building these connections. When people can come together through an activity that they both enjoy, there is a stronger likelihood for mutual understanding and bonding. 

Explore IOM UK Refugee Week Events

Community Sponsorship

In July 2016, the UK government launched the Community Sponsorship scheme, enabling community groups to directly support resettled refugees by taking on financial responsibility and supporting initial service provision for the refugees they sponsor. The launch of this scheme is an important step not only in meeting the UK’s commitment to resettle 20,000 Syrian refugees by 2020, but also in supporting community involvement and innovation in the welcoming and integration of refugees.

In the UK, IOM supports Community Sponsorship by  providing key cultural information about refugees during community sponsorship induction workshops. If you would like to know more about IOM’s support to community sponsors, please contact iomuk@iom.int.