The International Organization for Migration (IOM) /the UN Migration Agency, sub-regional co-ordination office for Central Asia, the leading inter-governmental organization in the field of migration, is launching the IOM Central Asia (IOM CA) PhotoStory Project -Migrants: An Invisible Force in Central Asia.

Portfolio Submissions can be made at http://photostory.iom.kz.  Deadline is May 10, 2017

The project includes two elements: photography and story writing and invites university students and artists/photographers (citizens of Central Asia) to submit photographs related to the theme Migrants: An Invisible Force in Central Asia.

The theme reportedly aims to draw attention and stimulate dialogue around the theme of migration through powerful photography, story writing and open discussions with government and non-government stakeholders, societies and communities; its key goals are raising awareness on migrants’ rights, enhancing tolerance, eliminating xenophobia and racism towards migrants’ and migrant communities.

The project gives voice to the people of Central Asia to tell what migration means through their photos and their stories.

IOM notes that in a region where human mobility was always part of the nomadic life, modern citizens of Central Asia are becoming citizens of the world through migration within the region and beyond.  Their migration stories depend on the choices they make and the challenges they encounter, on how they engage in the societies they join, and how societies receives them, on their search for a better life with dignity and respect of their rights.