On September 23, 2021 the official launch of the Piénsalo 2 Veces campaign was held, which is brought for the first time to the Panamanian context. 

Piénsalo 2 Veces, was carried out using the communication for development methodology and seeks to strengthen the capacities of migrants from La Chorrera, specifically in the communities of Barrio Balboa and Herrera, to recognize offers and false news, and avoid the risks of trafficking in persons for the purpose of labour exploitation. 

The primary audience of this campaign are migrants between 18 and 35 years old, in regular and irregular condition that live in the communities of Barrio Balboa and Herrera in the district of La Chorrera, Panama. The secondary audience are family members and people who reside within the community, and who can influence their decisions. Thirdly, Piénsalo 2 Veces seeks to influence government institutions, social organizations at the local level, and other key actors in the community of La Chorrera. 

The launch was attended by several national authorities like Dayra Carrizo, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs; Doris Zapata, Minister of Labour and Professional Development; Ivor Pittí, Deputy Minister of Public Security; Katya Heron, Secretary General of the National Women's Institute; Carolina García, Secretary General of the Ombudsman's Office. Likewise, local authorities like Sindy Smith, Governor of Panamá Oeste; Tomás Velásquez, Mayor of La Chorrera; María Deisy Díaz, Representative of Herrera, and Leika Ballesteros, Deputy Representative of Barrio Balboa also participated. 

On behalf of the Diplomatic Corps accredited in Panama, Chris Bergaust, Chargé d'Affaires of the Embassy of the United States of America; Diana Vanegas, Ambassador of El Salvador; Luis López, Ambassador of Mexico, and Marthalicia Gutiérrez, Technical Attaché of the Embassy of Nicaragua. Cristian Munduate, United Nations Resident Coordinator in Panama, and multiple representatives of other organizations and strategic allies also attended the event. 

This campaign is based on the evidence collected among the migrant population and various key community actors through rigorous information gathering processes. Communication products have been built and validated with migrants living in La Chorrera. 

The baseline of the campaign identified that, in the event that the labor rights of the migrant population were violated, most people would not know who to turn to. Although many people surveyed would seek more information about working conditions, six out of ten people would take any job, even knowing that they are at risk of having their rights violated and suffering labor exploitation. 

To fill the gaps that were identified in the knowledge and practices of the respondents, the campaign also invites the migrant population in La Chorrera to enter the Somos Colmena website,  a virtual community on migration created by IOM with a presence in Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Costa Rica and, for the first time,  in Panama. The website has the videos of the campaign, informative materials and tips to avoid situations of labour exploitation for the purpose of trafficking in persons, as well as contact numbers of the institutions that provide guidance and reliable information. 

In addition, in coordination with local actors, community outreach activities have been planned, including awareness and information days, movie discussion forums, workshops, murals, and sports activities. Likewise, messages will be disseminated through the social networks of Somos Colmena, IOM Panama, and local institutions.  

"Undoubtedly, the generation of spaces and platforms where reliable information is found is key to addressing this type of reality; but even more, it is strategically necessary to return to the communities their power to achieve a change of behaviour that is generated in a sustained manner," said Santiago Paz, Head of the Panama Administrative Centre and Chief of Mission of IOM in Panama. 

This project is part of IOMX's global model and was launched through the Western Hemisphere Program, implemented by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) with financial support from the Bureau of Population, Refugees and Migration (PRM) of the United States Department of State. 

From this Program, IOM promotes alternatives to irregular migration through the Communication for  Development methodology which is proposed as an innovative way to plan, execute, and evaluate communication activities that aim to change positive behaviour to contribute to the social development of communities. 

For more information, contact IOM Panama's communications team via iompanama@iom.intmail. 

Watch the campaign videos here.