MAJAC Launches New Project To Combat Irregular Emigration From The Gambia To Europe
Media Academy for Journalism and Communication (MAJaC) today launches its project, “Innovate to Combat Emigration” at the MAJaC school campus.
The intervention seeks to address the root causes for migration (unemployment, poverty and lack of hope for the future) and promote citizens’ participation in change-making, innovation and entrepreneurship in The Gambia.
Project Manager and Managing Director of MAJAC, Mr Sang Mendy says The project they are launching , is a mini grant that seeks to equip MAJaC, the Gambia Media Support-GAMES (a Danish-based media development organization) and partners with relevant information, understanding and insight of what is needed in terms of media and its related fields to help curb irregular migration.
He further says the project will run for three-month (July to September) and During this period, they will hold series of meetings and consultations with civil society organizations, youth groups, the media (private and community) national and international organizations involved in the fight to end irregular migrations.
He further stated that, the idea of meeting these stakeholders is to harvest ideas, action points and proposals on how to combat migration through training.
He claims, many thought migration might be a thing of the past prior to the change of government but The Gambia was among the countries with the biggest migration pool despite its population.
He declares the Gambia like many African countries continues to struggle to stop its people from migrating.
Secretary General of the Gambia Press Union, Modou S. Joof expressed interest in the project and said that they (GPU) are happy to be associated with such.
Mr Joof further said that over the years the press union had tried to build the capacity of journalists in combating irregular migration which they did working with various partners.
“In 2021, we conducted trainings on migration reporting to allow journalists to understand the dynamics and context of migration reporting, not only in the Gambia but in the west African sub regions. In 2022 we work with IOM to hold a training on international migration law”. he said
He said he believes that while journalists understand reporting on migration, it was also important for them to also understand the laws governing migration.
