SKOPJE, Macedonia – The Reception Centre for Asylum Seekers of the Republic of Macedonia, in partnership with MARRI Regional Centre, organised the Launching Meeting/Workshop of the MARRI Member States’ Heads of Reception Centres for Asylum Seekers and MOI Asylum Units on topic “Best practices in reception asylum seekers by family and gender categories,” held in Skopje and Ohrid, Macedonia on 17- 19 November 2009.
Launching Meeting/Workshop was a follow up activity from the Study Visit/Workshop “Best practices in managing reception/detention centers for asylum seekers” held in June 2009 in Land of Brandenburg, Germany, organized by MARRI Regional Centre, where as a conclusion, participants identified the need of development of network for cooperation in the field of reception of asylum seekers realized through regular annual meetings, where heads of reception centers for asylum seekers and MOI Asylum Units exchanged opinions, good practices, identified gaps and possible solutions in order to step up capacities and efficiency of national reception systems.
Accordingly, the objectives of the Launching Meeting/Workshop was to commence establishment of network for cooperation among heads of reception centers for asylum seekers and MOI Asylum Units in the format of Directorium as well as to exchange the best practices, identify gaps and possible solutions for reception asylum seekers by family and gender categories (male, female, unaccompanied minors, etc.).
Slovenia contributed from EU perspective, drawing on the EU/Slovenian expertise, experience and best practices. Representatives from the international organisations/agencies (UNHCR, ICRC) also participated, drawing on the international expertise and experience on their role in the subject matter of the event.
Launching Meeting/Workshop was realised through two groups of activities; (i) study visit of reception centre for asylum seekers in Vizbegovo near Skopje, Macedonia, and (ii) launching meeting/workshop in Ohrid, Macedonia. In the study visit part, there was a visit to the reception centre for asylum seekers in Vizbegovo near Skopje. In the launching meeting/workshop part the following activities were realised: (i) commencing of establishment of network for cooperation among heads of reception centers for asylum seekers and MOI Asylum Units in the format of Directorium, (ii) analysis of national and international legal framework regulating reception asylum seekers by family and gender categories; (iii) analysis of the institutions capacities in reception asylum seekers by family and gender categories; (iv) exchange of practices, identification of gaps and needs.