IVLP Impact Awards Perspectives – Understanding the Global Movement of People
Omar Miramontes is an alumnus of the International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) and a 2024 recipient of the IVLP Impact Awards for his project Migration 101: Migration Today, International, National and Local Context.
Meridian International Center, in partnership with the U.S. Department of State Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, implements the IVLP Impact Awards initiative. IVLP Impact Awardees from across the world administer community impact projects that build on their experiences and promote innovative solutions to shared challenges. The IVLP Impact Awards initiative engages alumni, strengthens global networks, and supports lasting community impact.
Forming Lifelong Bonds
My name is Efren Omar Miramontes Luevano, I’m 34 years old, and I’m a fan of American football, listening to podcasts and learning about migration. I currently work at the Migrant Assistance Office of the State of Sonora, where we provide humanitarian aid (safe lodging, food, hydration, personal hygiene kits, and first aid kits) to migrants passing through our state.
Last August, I had the opportunity to participate in the IVLP Migration in the Americas program, which took us to Washington D.C., Buffalo, Dallas, and Los Angeles. The exchange was incredibly enriching, thanks to the outstanding participants who are experts in their respective fields, the project organizers and the experts we met to discuss various aspects of migration in the United States.
I learned a great deal about the different facets of migration and gained valuable insights into the perspectives of both government and civil society organizations from the standpoint of a receiving country, both at its northern and southern borders.
The relationships formed during that trip are ones I know will last a lifetime. For instance, just two weeks ago, we recorded an episode of my IVLP Impact Award podcast, Migracion101 with Dr. Katharine Donato from Georgetown University.
Similarly, in about two months, we’ll be recording an episode in Mexico City with former IVLP participants from my program, where we will discuss different perspectives on migration in Latin America, including alumni from the Dominican Republic, Panama, Colombia, and more.
The project is progressing positively. We’re gradually making an impact on social media and supporting migrants who have reached out to us, providing them with accurate information and directing them to the appropriate resources.
Coordinated Strategies and Combatting Misinformation
Migration is a global issue that requires coordinated strategies from governments across different continents, as well as collaboration with organized civil society. Ultimately, migration is driven by issues related to food security, social and housing concerns, and the search for better opportunities.
This is why we need to prioritize migration on the global agenda. We have clear examples showing that ignoring this critical issue leads to increased insecurity, organized crime, displaced persons, and other problems due to the human rights violations faced by these migration flows.
On the other hand, there are significant opportunities, such as developing communities where large groups of people settle, enhancing the workforce, and fostering cultural exchange that improves the quality of life for both existing residents and newly arrived migrants.
With my IVLP Impact Award, I’m establishing a channel to combat misinformation on social media, as well as provide the most up-to-date and accurate information on migration issues. Given that migration is a constantly evolving topic, achieving this is a significant challenge.
The project serves as a safe space for migrants, where they can receive appropriate information and proper guidance to protect their human rights and promote orderly, safe, and regular migration.
This project positions itself an important source of information on migration, delivering content in a clear and understandable way to raise awareness among both migrants and residents along migration routes. The intent is to highlight the daily and real situation of migration.
The IVLP network has been immensely helpful in connecting me with key figures in this field and supporting this project making a positive impact in the complex realm of social media. The opportunity provided by the IVLP Impact Awards Initiative to contribute locally for each award recipient is invaluable. While the IVLP program offers a chance to broaden your horizons and understand global situations on a larger scale, as well as expand your personal and professional connections, it is the IVLP Impact Awards that allows you to make a real and direct impact in the communities where alumni are active.
I was truly surprised by the general knowledge I gained during my time in the program, as well as by the various presentations from alumni and previous IVLP Impact Award winners. This experience has inspired me to aim for both national and international goals with my project, to generate the greatest possible impact for the benefit of migrants.
Zero in on Your Community
The best experience you'll have is witnessing the growth and development fostered by the IVLP program and bringing it to life through the IVLP Impact Awards. It's invaluable because it allows you to develop personally through your work and passions while contributing to greater good by creating a positive impact in society.
In my case, it was crucial to identify the importance of combating misinformation on social media. Migration is a complex issue with various angles and concerns, so my recommendation is to find a specific focus and work on developing it.
My strategy has been to create relevant and easily understandable information so that anyone who encounters it can grasp the content. This approach brings migration issues to a more conversational level, helping to increase visibility and awareness of the topic.
Omar participated in the IVLP Project Migration in the Americas, organized by the U.S. Department of State and CRDF Global, in partnership with International Citizen Diplomacy of Los Angeles, International Institute of Buffalo and World Affairs Council of Dallas/Fort Worth. Learn more about his IVLP Impact Award project, Migration 101: Migration Today, International, National and Local Context on our website.
