Representatives from civil society and government, academia, and from across Oxford (see event description for full list of participants).
This event is co-organised by Migration Oxford, the Blavatnik School of Government, Refugees International, and the Center for Global Development.
Intended as an in-person conversation, this event will feature participants from across academia, civil society, and government. Representatives from civil society and government will join from the African Foundation for Development, African Climate Mobility Initiative, Center for Global Development, Earth Refuge, International Institute for Environment and Development, ODI, Refugees International, and FCDO. From academia, participants will join from the University of Bristol, University of London’s Refugee Law Initiative, United Nations University Institute for Environment and Human Security, James Cook University, and University of Vienna; and from across Oxford, including the Blavatnik School of Government, ODID, COMPAS, the RSC, and School of Geography and the Environment.
Aims
The latest report from the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) paints a grim picture: the magnitude of existing and coming climate change impacts is much larger than previously acknowledged and is already contributing to displacement and humanitarian crises around the world. Climate and weather extremes are driving displacement of people in all regions of the globe. As researchers grapple with how these intersections are affecting ongoing trends, global policymakers need a more concrete framework for understanding varied forms of climate displacement and how to deploy specific policy tools, investments, and protection strategies across those different situations.
Much of this mobility will be internal, while some will cross borders. Clear and protective legal pathways would enable more humane migration axes while reducing the risk of perceived chaos on national borders. Effective and innovative policymaking to this end must be rooted in meaningful consultation and decision-making by climate-affected communities. The first session will focus on cross-border displacement, including prospects for regional free mobility agreements and other pathways for migration. The second session will focus on internal displacement, particularly around urbanization and livelihoods, complexities around migration as an adaptive strategy, planned relocation efforts, and the impact of remittances on climate adaptation. Participants will contextualize these issues by drawing on experience in countries around the world.
This event seeks to achieve three primary aims:
- Highlight cutting-edge research on the intersection of climate change and mobilities
- Share policymaking challenges with researchers and recent research with practitioners
- Foster ties among researchers and practitioners to build and strengthen connections and support a community of practice, both within the United Kingdom and globally
Format
Following the welcome from the Migration Oxford convener, a set of two roundtables will discuss how climate change interacts with displacement and migration trends with contributions from researchers and policymakers. The conversations are intended to highlight challenges, data gaps, open questions around legal and policy frameworks, and promising avenues for research and policy progress.
A coffee-biscuits break will be offered and a drinks reception will follow the seminar.
Audience
This event will feature participants from across academia, civil society, and government. It is open to students and migration researchers at all stages of their careers, including senior scholars working on issues around climate change, migration, and/or displacement who are interested to learn more about the intersections of these issues. Members of the Oxford Sanctuary Community are also warmly invited to attend.
