The International Labour Organization (ILO) and the Center for Migration Studies (CMS) of North South University jointly organised an advocacy and capacity-building programme on migrant-centric reporting on 22 January 2026 at 11:00 AM at the Syndicate Hall of North South University. The programme focused on ethical, rights-based media engagement and on recognising the contributions of migrant workers while addressing their reintegration and protection needs, a press release said.
The programme brought together selected journalists, academics, migration practitioners, and development professionals to strengthen informed and responsible media coverage of labour migration in Bangladesh, with particular attention to returnee migrants and gender-responsive reporting.
The programme opened with welcome and opening remarks by Dr. Sk. Tawfique M. Haque, Director of CMS, SIPG, and Rahnuma Salam Khan, National Project Manager at the International Labour Organization. Dr. Haque underscored the importance of collaboration between academia, media, the ILO, and government institutions in advancing evidence-based migration policy and responsible public discourse, while Ms. Khan highlighted the need for migrant-centric and evidence-based media engagement to shape informed public understanding of migration, reintegration, and migrant workers’ rights, emphasising that ethical reporting must move beyond sensationalism to reflect structural realities, policy contexts, and the lived experiences of migrant and returnee workers.
Professor Nasar U. Ahmed, Pro Vice-Chancellor of North South University, delivered the opening address, setting the tone of the advocacy programme and underscoring the role of academic institutions in promoting evidence-driven dialogue and cross-sectoral collaboration among academia, media, and development partners on migration governance. He noted that universities must serve as platforms for policy-relevant knowledge production and responsible public discourse on migration.
An academic reflection titled “Migration in the Twenty-First Century” was presented by Dr. Selim Reza, Associate Professor at North South University and the co-ordinator of CMS, situating labour migration within broader global political, economic, and governance transformations. He highlighted how migration is increasingly shaped by structural inequalities, geopolitical dynamics, and development disparities, requiring more nuanced analytical and media frameworks.
Subsequently, Rahnuma Salam Khan delivered a thematic presentation on labour reform, the labour manifesto, migration trends and drivers, and the importance of migration and reintegration within Bangladesh’s development context. She stressed that sustainable reintegration is not only a social issue but a development priority, requiring coordinated policy, institutional capacity, and public awareness.
A dedicated session on rights-based reporting was conducted by Asif Munier, Migration Expert and member of the Reform Taskforce for the Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment, who highlighted good practices in migrant-centric journalism and cautioned against stigma, misinformation, and deficit-driven narratives surrounding migration and return. He emphasised that ethical reporting must humanise migrant workers and present them as rights-bearing contributors rather than as passive victims or economic statistics.
The session on reflections, questions, and media perspectives was facilitated by Abdullah Al Muyid, National Programme Coordinator at ILO, who underscored the need for continuous engagement between media, policy actors, and development institutions to ensure accurate and responsible migration reporting.
Discussions throughout the programme drew on national and global evidence highlighting the vulnerabilities faced by returnee migrants, including limited access to social protection, livelihood opportunities, and psychosocial support, particularly for women and children. Participants emphasised that ethical, gender-responsive, and rights-based media reporting is essential to counter stigma, elevate migrant voices with dignity, and contribute to sustainable reintegration and social cohesion.
The programme was attended by approximately 15 journalists from leading print, online, and television media outlets, alongside CMS faculty members, researchers, representatives from ILO and partner organisations, and migration practitioners. The programme concluded with closing remarks, networking, and a shared commitment to strengthening collaboration between academia, media, and international organisations to promote responsible and informed public communication on labour migration in Bangladesh.
