INM RD and IOM deliver diplomas to first participants in the "Intercultural Mediation Diploma" held in Dajabón

The National Institute for Migration of the Dominican Republic (INM RD) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) gave diplomas to the participants of the first edition of the "Diploma in intercultural mediation" that was held in a semi-presential way in the municipality of Dajabón.

This training, which began on February 4, took place during forty hours of face-to-face and twenty of virtual activities, in which concepts related to migration, interculturality and human rights were addressed, as well as tools and practical aspects for mediation.

During the closing of the event, the chief of mission of the International Organization for Migration (IOM) in the Dominican Republic, Josué Gastelbondo, stated that "initiatives like this one seem to us supremely important, we support them with a lot of enthusiasm, and we will continue to support them". He also pointed out that the international organization and the government institution are jointly preparing the second edition of the diploma that will be held in the municipality of Pedernales.

The twenty-two participants in this first edition took part in activities, methodologies and techniques, such as case studies, with the purpose of putting into practice in their workplaces the tools of intercultural mediation acquired in the classes. "We learned about the need to re-educate ourselves about our prejudices and the stereotypes that turn our backs on reality [...]", explained Yesulá Blanc, a participant in the Diploma course and coordinator of the Gender platform.

This effort is developed with the support of IOM's Western Hemisphere Program, funded by the U.S. Department of State Bureau of Population, Refugees and Migration.