On 11-12 and 13-14 June, IOM organized an intercultural communication training course for the staff of the Patrol Police and Migration departments of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, respectively. The training was supported by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Norway, which funds the project “Enhancing Migrants Rights and Good Governance in Armenia and Georgia” (EMERGE). The training was facilitated by international expert Mr. Calin Rus and national expert Mr. Giorgi Chkheidze.

IOM works closely with the Patrol Police and Migration Department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA) of Georgia, which manages the Temporary Accommodation Centre for migrants. Therefore, it is crucial for the staff of the Department and the Centre to enhance intercultural communication skills and management of intercultural conflicts and of conflicts involving unbalanced power relations. Training also focused on the rights-based approach in addressing cultural diversity, empathy in intercultural situations and communication with persons in distress.