International Conference on Migration and Displacement

International Conference on Migration and Displacement

(November 14-16, 2017)

Migration is defined as mass movement of people from one area to the other for certain unavoidable reasons. It is generally discussed under two broader headings; willing and forced. The former is mostly done for economic gains- and is also held responsible for brain drain by few- while the latter is to flee from a conflict zone for saving life. In both the cases, migration connotes the inhabitability of the homeland and incapacity of its denizens to sustain in their homeland. Whereas, displacement is taken as shifting of people to a safer zone temporarily.

Human history is full of migrations and events of displacement for several reasons. They not only bring challenges for the migrants but also pose threats to the inhabitants of the host areas. Despite the fact that several new cultures and civilizational patterns have emerged out of interactions and mixtures between the hosts and the settlers, several old traditions and practices had to be slaughtered to give birth to new norms and values. This threat to old patterns promotes xenophobia which gradually promotes and develops prejudice and biases. There are several examples of mass migrations in history.

Displacement is a sheer outcome of conflict in an area where people lose hope for settlement and are forced to flee to safety. The weaker are the most vulnerable to the horrors of conflict and atrocities of war. Consequently, they deserve to be attended and entertained at the earliest. The world community – owing to the unfortunate persistence causes of forced migration- has established permanent institutions to address problems of refugees. The UNHCR is an example in this regard. It is not only working for rehabilitation of refugees but is also working for settlement of refugees in host countries; on both short term and long term basis. As per UNHCR’s annual Global Trends Report 2015, “Globally, one in every 122 humans is now either a refugee, internally displaced, or seeking asylum. If this were the population of a country, it would be the world’s 24th biggest”. Most of the conflicts that triggered these displacements still persist. In recent years, Europe, Asia, Africa and Americas have experienced the bulk of forced displacements. Europe has accommodated highest number of both immigrants and refugees. USA and Europe have accommodated highest number of immigrants (due to their pull factors) while Mexico, India, China, Bangladesh and Pakistan are among top emigration countries (due to their push factors).

Pakistan is a heterogeneous society, people identifying themselves on the basis of racial, tribal, cultural, lingual and religious basis. It had experienced one of the biggest human migrations at the time of its creation. Even today, it is passing through a transitional phase wherein military operations are carried out against terrorists and extremists. As per UNHCR reports, “Pakistan hosts 1.5 million Afghan refugees and has been the world’s largest refugee hosting country for more than three decades”. According to estimates, almost Two million people are still displaced in Pakistan. Millions were displaced, settled in camps and replaced back in their native territories after filtration and funneling through rigorous screening during military operations in decade or so. Their episodic experiences of displacement certainly leave prints on their personality and psychology and deserve serious academic investigation.

Conceptually migration is taken as shifting from homeland to host land on permanent basis or for longer period of time; either as optional or as a forced choice.

As migration and displacement are still one of the major concerns of the world community and are mostly caused by reasons initiated and promulgated by humans, therefore this conference is organized to identify various dimensions of migration and displacement and concepts associated with them. The factors causing migrations and effects of migration and displacement on migrants and host societies are also amongst the primary themes of this conference.

 Themes of the Conference

The conference will primarily consider papers on following themes.

Theme-I:             Migration for Economic Development: Pull Factors and Push Factors

Theme-II:           Diaspora and Global Citizenship: Role of Diaspora in Host State and Home State 

Theme-III:          Intra and Inter State Conflicts as Catalysts of Displacement 

Theme-IV:          New Challenges of Refugees Management and Refugees Settlement 

Theme V:            Migration and Displacement: Challenges of Multi Culturalism

Theme VI:          Conflict, Terrorism/Counter Terrorism and Displacement

Writers, scholars, researchers and academicians are invited to submit their papers on these themes.

Important Dates

Call for papers:                                                          June 19,  2017

Last Date to Submit Abstracts:                            July 31,  2017

Display of List of selected speakers :                 August 21,  2017

Last date to submit complete papers,
with references, by selected speakers:             October 15, 2017

Conference:                                                                 November 14-16, 2017

Abstract 

The abstract must not be more than 300 worlds and should clearly state

  • Research Questions/ Objectives 
  • Significance of the Study
  • Research Methodology
  • Expected Results

You are requested to submit your abstracts on the following emails:

Dr. Ahmad Raza Khan                                                Dr. Khalid Manzoor Butt
Secretary/ Focal Person
                                         Convener, ICMD 2017
ICMD 2017                                                                          Chairperson, Department of Political Science
ahmadraza@gcu.edu.pk                                                  Director, Centre of Excellence China Studies

GC University Lahore, Pakistan.
chairperson.polsc@gcu.edu.pk

 

 

List of Abstracts Approved for Paper Presentation
Website:      http://ps.gcu.edu.pk/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/Abstracts-Accepted-for-Conference.pdf

 

For further details please visit:
Website:        http://ps.gcu.edu.pk/icmd-2017

 

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