On 29 September, IOM ended its English Language Courses for the Patrol and Tourist Police of the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA) of Georgia. The course focused on the language structures that will be applicable to MIA staff’s daily work when interacting with foreign nationals residing or visiting Georgia.

With increasing migration to Georgia – both in terms of tourists, foreign students as well as foreign workers or others who choose to reside in Georgia, English language knowledge for the Patrol and Tourist Police staff is essential to ensure enforcement of the rule of law while upholding human rights of migrants. IOM welcomes MIA’s commitment to professional development and enhancing the English language communication skills of the staff and has been pleased to respond to MIA’s request for support.

The course was divided into 3 groups and was held at MIA premises from 14 May until 29 September for 30 staff members of Patrol and Tourist Police and was conducted by the British Council Georgia in line with the current COVID-19 regulations.

All attendants received certificates for attending the course that 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). 

EMERGE is a three-year project which started in December of 2019 and includes a series of activities aimed at promoting migrants’ rights and further capacity building in Georgia to manage migration according to the EU and modern standards. 

One of the most important activities within the project has been the cooperation with the Ministry of Internal Affairs. IOM has already organized several workshops on intercultural communication and the International Migration Law for the Ministry staff and has planned the delivery of a few more workshops in 2021. This language course is another example of successful cooperation.