Almaty – On 8 of November, 2017, IOM/UN Migration Agency, Sub-regional Coordination office for Central Asia in partnership with UN Assistance Center of IRD, Al-Farabi Kazakh National University announce the open lecture on “Migration Trends and Migrants Rights in Central Asia” and the screening of the documentary PhotoStory film:

Migrants: An Invisible force in Central Asia»

IOM Sub Regional Coordination Office for Central Asia staff will discuss with students on Migration Trends and Migrants’ Rights in Central Asia:

Tatiana Hadjiemmanuel – Head of IOM Almaty Sub-office/Deputy Sub Regional Coordinator for Central Asia;

Damira Umetbaeva - National Programme Officer of IOM Almaty Sub-Regional office;

Elyor Nematov – Media/Communication specialist at IOM Almaty Sub-Regional office.

After the presentations and screening of the documentary film there will be an open discussion with students.

The documentary film will showcase more than forty photographs with their accompanying texts, as submitted by Central Asian Artists/Photographers and University Students, as well as stories shared by two Central Asian writerswho participated in the project.

The aim of the Photo Story project is to raise awareness on migrants’ rights, enhancing tolerance, eliminating xenophobia and racism towards migrants’ and migrant communities. Apart from the exhibition, the project includes the production of a web documentary (duration 10min).

Photo: The IOM Central Asia Photo Story exhibition is the outcome of an Open Call to Artists/Photographers and University Students from Central Asia in March 2017, and completed in May 2017.A Photo-Jury panel of five members convened at the IOM Almaty office, in mid-June and decided upon three winnersfrom the Artists/Photographers’category Elyor Nematov, Didor Sadulloev, Diana Mindubayeva and two winnersfrom the University Studentscategory Almazbek Duyishebaev, Rakhat Sagynbek Kyzy.

Story: All participants had to submit their photographs texts which explained or accompanied their series of work. In addition to that, two Central Asian writers, Dr. Nafisa Abdullaeva and Yermek Tursunov were invited by IOM Central Asia to share their own stories by reflecting on the winning photographs of the Artists/ Photographers Category.

Venue: International Relations Department, al-Farabi Kazakh National University, Karasay Batyr str., 95, room 200.

Time: 10.00-12.00