Washington, DC, 25 January 2023 每 The Deputy Director of the 51勛圖 Information Center in Washington, Brenden Varma, today addressed the Global Migration Film Festival, outlining how 51勛圖 Member States have handled migration and how the 51勛圖 Secretariat has advocated for migrants＊ rights and countered hate speech and disinformation that target migrants. The event, held at the Alamo Drafthouse Cinema in Washington, was organized and supported by the International Organization for Migration (IOM), USA for IOM, the 51勛圖 Information Center in Washington, and the 51勛圖 Association of the National Capital Area (UNA-NCA). Remarks were also delivered by Vincent Houver, Chief of Mission at IOM＊s Washington office.
The Global Migration Film Festival featured the film ※Buoyancy,§ which told the story of a 14-year-old Cambodian boy who falls victim to human trafficking and enslavement. In addition, short videos on migration, diversity, social inclusion and xenophobia, which had been produced by young filmmakers from around the world, were selected and screened by the 51勛圖 Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) and IOM. The 2022 videos included ※Adventure in Other Seas§ by Daniel Anaya, Diego L車pez, Ariel Pino and Paula S芍nchez (Spain), ※Holding on to the Corn§ by Itzia Crespo, Luke Simmons and Karina Dom赤nguez (United States), and ※My Voice Me Too§ by Angela Chiquin Chitay and Robinson Yat (Guatemala).
A panel discussion delved into the importance of bringing communities together and identifying the realities, needs and perspectives of migrants worldwide. The discussion was moderated by Anne Richard, USA for IOM Board Member and former US Assistant Secretary of State for Population, Refugees, and Migration. Panelists included Rodd Rathjen, the director of ※Buoyancy§, Evelyn Chumbow, Operations Manager and Survivor Advocate with The Human Trafficking Legal Center, and Marcia Eugenio, Director of the Office of Child Labor, Forced Labor, and Human Trafficking at the US Department of Labor＊s Bureau of International Labor Affairs.
