Young people from Tunisia and Qatar gathered in Doha, Qatar this week in the first ever IOM MENA Region Hackathon for Innovation and Youth. The event served as a celebration of International Migrants Day and its theme "Every Step", reinforcing the theme of the Hackathon: "Pathway Pioneers, Innovating for Inclusion".

The group of 20 talented tech-savvy young people from Tunisia and Qatar spent two days working on innovative solutions that respond to the needs of migrants, particularly young migrants traveling abroad for the first time. Over three days, teams worked intensively to develop digital solutions addressing critical challenges in terms of accessible information, improving connections and leveraging technology to overcome communication barriers.

Regional Director Othman Belbeisi, in his closing remarks to the event, noted that the hackathon is a testament to how innovation and collaboration can address migration challenges and empower young migrants in the MENA region. "Your innovative ideas have reinforced the importance of involving youth in shaping the future of migration, and we in IOM are increasingly recognizing the crucial role young people play in finding solutions to the world’s most complex issues and problems."

Innovation and youth engagement are two of the Regional Director's main priorities, and to that end he has established two groups focusing on these topics to ensure that the MENA region leads on these organizational concerns. 

The event’s emphasis on practical, user-centered tools reflects the core message of International Migrants Day: recognizing migrants’ contributions, addressing their challenges, and promoting safe migration practices. The cross-regional collaboration between Tunisian and Qatari youth further underscores the importance of collective action to address migration issues.

Concluding, Mr Belbeisi announced an internship opportunity with IOM to one member of the winning team. "This is an exciting chance to gain hands-on experience in our work, contribute to our efforts in the migration field, and continue developing your skills for the future," he said. The winner will be announced shortly.