Tunisia, 12 August – On the occasion of International Youth Day, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) is launching the “CinemArena” campaign for the first time in Tunisia and North Africa.

Organized by IOM in collaboration with the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MAECI), the campaign is taking place in Tunisia from 13 August to 22 September 2024 and it will be implemented in close partnership with the Tunisian Ministry of Youth and Sports, Ministry of the Interior, Ministry of Cultural Affairs, and Ministry of Employment and Vocational Training.

This initiative consists of a mobile caravan that will travel through six governorates in Tunisia, namely Jendouba, Le Kef, Siliana, Kasserine, Kairouan, and Gafsa, stopping in 36 municipalities. The campaign will engage young people in dialogue about positive alternatives to irregular migration through cultural and cinematic screenings, films in public squares, discussions with specialists, and performances by artists.

Launched in 2002 by the Italian Cooperation focusing on social and health issues, CinemArena has addressed the risks of irregular migration since 2018 through a partnership with IOM (IOM Coordination Office for the Mediterranean). Over the past seven years, it has traveled through Senegal, Côte d'Ivoire, Guinea, The Gambia, and Nigeria, organizing 674 awareness-raising events and gathering over 221,000 spectators.

‘IOM is delighted to introduce CinemArena to Tunisia, building upon 22 years of experience. This initiative aims to provide Tunisian youth with concrete information on regular migration pathways and offers, among others, information on training and employment opportunities in Tunisia.’ Brendan Kelly, IOM Tunisia Head of the Migration and Development Unit.

The campaign spreads information and messages through awareness-raising films in urban and rural areas, along with entertainment, theatre, musical performances, workshops, and discussions. It aims at encouraging potential migrants to make free, individual, and informed decisions. It also seeks to involve civil society as a key agent of change, support small businesses and young artists in realizing their aspirations, and raise media awareness for ethical and comprehensive information on migration and available socio-economic opportunities.

Consult the programme of the mobile caravan.

For more information, please contact the IOM Tunisia Public Information Office: iomtunispublicinfo@iom.int or Flavio Di Giacomo: fdigiacomo@iom.int