OBMICA Celebrates 10 Years of Observing Migratory Dynamics in the Caribbean
The Centre for Migration Observation and Social Development in the Caribbean (OBMICA) celebrated this May a decade of observing the migratory dynamics of the Insular Caribbean and its diasporas through research for action as its institutional mission.
Bridget Wooding, Director of the Observatory, delivered the welcome and contextual remarks, in which she traced the path OBMICA has traveled since its founding in 2009, highlighting valuable contributions from its thematic axes for understanding migration and its impact, as well as the creation of spaces for dialogue and coordination on migration matters and Dominican-Haitian relations.
Its flagship publication is the State of Migration concerning the Dominican Republic (EDM). Every year, for seven consecutive years, OBMICA has followed the historical evolution of migration through the presentation of hard statistics.
OBMICA's scientific character and legacy are part of its distinctive hallmark: research for action, science at the service of understanding among peoples, evidence that seeks to contribute to improving public policies and the performance of government actors, and support for the hard work of accompaniment and advocacy carried out by civil society organizations, Wooding said.
At the event, held in the La Casona Hall of Hotel Billini, geographer Marcos Morales, current Director of the University Geographic Institute of UASD, and professor Marianella Belliard spoke on behalf of associated researchers. They described OBMICA as a fundamental piece in achieving its objectives, as well as in building the institution's good name and prestige in debate and research.
Dana Muniz and Jean Pierre Murray spoke on behalf of the young professionals who have developed their affiliation with OBMICA in order to pursue master's and doctoral degrees. "OBMICA does incredible work that I have used extensively in my graduate research so far and which I will undoubtedly continue to reference as my project takes shape. This organization produces cutting-edge research and policy advice in the areas of migration and social development. This meticulous work is indispensable for the growth and development of the Caribbean region in the twenty-first century," said Murray, a Jamaican Fulbright doctoral student, during his remarks.
At the celebration, distinguished sociologist Wilfredo Lozano, founder of OBMICA, received recognition for his contributions to the establishment and consolidation of OBMICA, having built the framework needed to create a reference and debate system on migration from a rights-based perspective.
In his words of thanks, Lozano, one of the country's most respected intellectuals with a solid contribution to the analysis of democratization and development processes in the Caribbean, recalled the first steps taken together with ideologue and founder Franc Baez to make concrete the idea of observing migration after the binational conference that gave rise to the book "The Challenges of Insular Development," where OBMICA's trajectory began.
OBMICA thanks the sister organizations, collaborators, donors, and researchers with whom it has carried out for ten years the challenging task of observing the paths of the Caribbean, betting on solidarity, proper migration governance for the development of our peoples, research for better public policies, and dialogue as the basis of good coexistence.
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