Ottawa, Canada (HOL) - An informational forum organized by International Organization for Migration (IOM) was held in Toronto and Ottawa, Canada on 13 and 14 of November respectively. The main objective of the forum as presented to the forum participants by Catherine Wangamati of IOM was to provide information to the Somali Community in Toronto and Ottawa about QUESTS-MIDA project. It also sought comments, recommendations and feedback about project. The project is a joint initiative of UNDP Somalia and IOM which will facilitate the transfer of skill knowledge and expertise of qualified Somalis expatriate in the Diaspora to public institutions in Somalia. UNDP is targeting development of public institutions and good governance through capacity building of civil servants in public and government institutions.
Prior to this public forum Ms. Wangamati met with different Somali Diaspora and community organization leaders in Toronto to discuss ways and listen to suggestions on engaging the Somali professionals to participate in the project.
Ms. Wangamati made an effective presentation about QUESTS-MIDA project both in Toronto and Ottawa and how Somali professionals from all regions of the country can take advantage of opportunities in the project for Somalia’s development. She encouraged qualified Somali women to visit the project website and apply for positions advertised.
The participants of the forum later asked questions relevant to the presentation and offered suggestions and recommendations with respect to the project. There was a collective agreement among the participants that such initiative to reach out to the community is the right approach that offers ownership of the project back to the community and it does reflects an authentic participatory community approach, which is the model that many NGOs have recently adapted in their implementation planning process. For more information on the project visit www.quest-mida.org
During her visit in Ottaw, Ms Wangamati has the opportunity to attend a fundraising event for Hargeisa University where she made presentation about QUEST-MIDA project. Ms Wangamati later told Hiiraan Online that she was impressed the event and the professional comments and feedback she got from the project.
Ms. Wangamati told the audience in both cities that this is a wider outreach to the Somali expatriate in North America and will be visiting other cities in North America to give similar presentations on the project and collect suggestions and recommendations on project. For details of the complete schedule please visit www.iom.int/unitedstates or check Hiiraan Online for the specific dates and cities in north America