Cairo – On 19 September 2017, the UN Migration Agency (IOM) and the National Coordinating Committee on Combatting and Preventing Illegal Migration and Trafficking in Persons (NCCPIM&TIP) launched a national awareness raising campaign on irregular migration of Egyptian youth and children.

The campaign, titled Your Family, Your Dream, Your Life aims to sensitize Egyptian youth to the risks of irregular migration journeys, using a combination of digital and traditional media to maximize reach and impact.

Under the leadership of NCCPIM&TIP, IOM Egypt developed a video featuring Egyptian international footballer Hazem Emam, to inform children and youth and their families about the risks involved in attempting sea migration journeys. The video is complemented by a social media campaign which incorporates messages from IOM’s ‘Aware Migrants’ campaign, launched earlier this year by IOM Rome. In addition, outreach activities will be organized across Egypt to maximize its impact.

“The national media campaign under the slogan Your Family, Your Dream, Your Life sends an appeal through a TV advertisement featuring Hazem Emam, who sends a message to the youth and their families on the dangers of irregular immigration and that solutions exist and come from within us through hard work, perseverance and initiative,” said Ambassador Naela Gabr, the Chairperson of NCCPIM&TIP.

Amr Taha, IOM Egypt’s Head of Office, emphasized that “the Egyptian Government continues its role in raising the public awareness of vulnerable Egyptian youth and children on irregular migration to help minimize and eventually combat this growing phenomenon. Our joint efforts include tangible alternatives to this issue, which benefits countries of origin, countries of destination and ultimately the Egyptian youth.”

IOM Egypt provided technical expertise and assistance for the development and roll-out of the campaign, acknowledging the trend of Egyptian youth and children reaching Europe.

The awareness raising campaign was made possible through the contributions of the US Department of State’s Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration (PRM) and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

This initiative supports the achievement of UN Sustainable Development Goals 10 (Reduced Inequalities) and 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions). It is also in line with the objectives of Egypt’s Sustainable Development Strategy (SDS): Vision 2030, particularly its social justice pillar.

For more information, please contact Amr Taha Head of Office of IOM Egypt. Tel: +201016255504; Email: ataha@iom.int