Online Workshop Series to Explore Forced Migration and Regionalism in Africa
The Refocus: An Online Summer Forced Migration in Africa Workshop Series will begin this April, focusing on developing knowledge and critical thinking on forced migration and protection issues in Africa. The series aims to train early career and emerging scholars and is hosted by the Refugee Law Initiative, the University of London, and the Centre for Migration Studies at the University of Ghana.
The event is in collaboration with the International Development Research Centre (IDRC) Research Chair on Forced Displacement at the Centre for Migration Studie, University of Ghana, the African Centre for Migration & Society, the University of the Witwatersrand, and the African Academy of Migration Research (AAMR).
This year's theme is “Forced Migration and Regionalism in Africa Today.” The series is divided into four sessions, each tackling different aspects of forced migration.
The first session, scheduled for Wednesday, April 3, 2024, will explore “The contemporary role of the Global Refugee Regime in Africa." Speakers for this session include Prof. Jo Vearey, Prof. Loren Landau, Dr. Kudakwashe Vanyoro, Elena Habersky, Amira Hetaba-Sabry, and Dr. Tamuka Chekero. Presentations will cover topics such as "Borders and Boundaries" by Dr. Tamuka Chekero and "Egypt's Response to Refugees" by Elena Habersky.
On Wednesday, April 10, 2024, the second session will discuss "Emerging Regional (Forced) Migration Patterns in Africa Part 1: Responses to Coups and Conflict." This session will feature Dr. Alain Tiga Ouedraogo, Dr. Stephanie Schwartz, and Allehone Abebe as speakers, with Prof. Mary Boatemaa Setrana, Director of the Centre for Migration Studies, University of Ghana and the IDRC Research on Forced Displacement in Anglophone West Africa serving as the chair. Dr. Ouedraogo will present "Présentation Ecole d'été_traduit."
The third session, set for Wednesday, April 17, 2024, will focus on "Emerging Regional (Forced) Migration Patterns in Africa Part 2: Evolving Migration Governance." Speakers include Dr. Opportuna Kweka, Sarah Doyel, and Prof. Chidi Anselm Odinkalu. Dr. Nicholas Maple will chair the session, which will feature a presentation by Prof. Kweka on "Climate Change and its Nexus with Forced Displacement: Case Studies of Tanzania."
The final session, titled "'New' Regionalism, Transnationalism, and the Search for Solutions," will be held on Wednesday, April 24, 2024. This session will include speakers Dr. Hanno Brankamp, Dr. Abebaw Minaye, Theodore Mbazumutima, and Jean Marie Ishimwe. Dr. Lucy Hovil will act as the discussant, and Dr. Catherine K. Musuva will chair the session.
Presentations during this final session will include "The role of Regional Economic Communities in Promoting Protection and Solutions to Forced Migrants: The Case of IGAD" by Dr. Abebaw Minaye, "Road to Durable Solution? Encampment and the New 'Shirika' Plan in Kenya" by Dr. Hanno Brankamp, and "Refugee leadership and the meaningful participation of refugees in sustainable decision making" by Jean Marie Ishimwe.
The workshop series is a significant effort to address forced migration issues and develop sustainable solutions in Africa. It aims to create a robust network of scholars and practitioners who can contribute to the understanding and improvement of migration policies and practices across the continent.