FIRST
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE
The first
meeting of the Asia Pacific Migration Research Network was held from
the 11-13 March 1996 in Bangkok. More than 35 delegates and observers
attended the conference at Chulalongkorn University. The meeting
established a working structure for the APMRN, developed four key
research areas, and set up a number of working parties to deal with
publications, training and education, and database development.
The
conference was opened by Dr Amara Pongsapich, Vice President of
Chulalongkorn University who welcomed participants to the University
and highlighted the need for comparative research on migration in
southeast Asia.
DR Witaya
Sucharitaranugse, Director of the Institute of Asian Studies,
Chulalongkorn University expressed support for the project, reiterating
that research into migration was a high priority for Thailand and the
region generally.
DR Nadia
Auriat from UNESCO-MOST in Paris, extended a welcome on behalf of
UNESCO. DR Auriat discussed the various projects under the MOST
program, noting that the APMRN project was one of eight accepted
proposals from a pool of over 100. The APMRN project is regarded by
UNESCO-MOST as the most significant project in the region, and DR
Auriat foreshadowed a United Nations international conference on
Migration in which the Network would be well placed to participate.
Each of the
country delegates to the conference presented an Issues Paper on the
state of migration and ethnic relations research in their country. This
session formed the basis for discussion of the key research areas which
the Network will pursue. The Issues Papers highlighted the complexities
of migration trends throughout the region. Familiar themes of rural
urban migration, emigration and immigration, undocumented migrants and
refugee flows, state responses to unregulated migration, temporary and
permanent settlement, tourism, the environment and entrepreneurial
activity were all discussed in the context of the region. As a result
of the Sessions on Issues Papers and research themes, four research
groups emerged which would develop proposals and request funding from
UNESCO and other sources. A convenor for each of the four areas was
nominated and delegates chose in which areas they would participate.
The four
key research areas are:
- Theory & Practice of Migration
Systems/Globalisation & Policy Implications for the Asia-Pacific -
Coordinator: Fr. Graziano Battistella
- Population Mobility and the Environment -
Coordinator: Prof. Richard Bedford
- Migration and Intergroup Relations - Coordinator:
DR Aurora Perez
- International Migration and Entrepreneurial
Activity - Coordinator: Prof. Wong Siu-lun
The other
aim of the conference was to decide on a working structure for the
Network. The delegates decided on the following structure:
- Coordinating Committee of one delegate from each
Network member country chaired by DR Ben Cariño of the
Philippine Social Science Council, University of the Philippines. DR
Supang Chantanavich was elected Deputy Chair
- International Secretariat at the Centre for
Multicultural Studies, University of Wollongong to be directed by Prof.
Stephen Castles
- Annual general meeting of delegates and observers
- Three working parties were established
- Four Research Groups were established
- Associate Membership was also made available to
NGO's and other interested parties
The main
tasks of the Coordinating Committee are:
- Decision-making between General Meetings on all
aspects of planning and management;
- Overall responsibility for the work of the
International Secretariat;
- Financial management and accountability towards
UNESCO and other funding sources;
- Representing the APMRN in discussions and
negotiations with UNESCO and other national and international bodies
and governments.
The role of
the Secretariat is:
- To assist the Coordinating Committee in all aspects
of planning and management;
- Organising the work, meetings and communication of
the Network;
- Preparing publications, reports and accounts.
The Annual
General Meeting would convene to set the broad policy lines, discuss
work of the APMRN and receive an annual report from the Coordinating
Committee.
A
discussion on funding was a feature of Day 2 of the conference. DR
Auriat led a discussion on the role of UNESCO and how to apply for
funds from UNESCO National Commissions through the Funds in Trust
process and via Country Participation Programs. DR Auriat invited the
research group coordinators to prepare submissions for these funding
avenues. She offered assistance in liaising with UNESCO National
Commissions and National Governments to secure funding. A number of the
delegates present spoke about potential funding sources in their own
countries and steps they had taken to achieve financial support. To
enhance the profile of the Network, the meeting resolved to seek
official endorsement from respective governments of the APMRN member
countries.
Working
Parties
A Working
Party was set up to deal with the task of developing the Network's
publications strategy. Fr Graziano Battistella of the Scalabrini
Migration Centre, Philippines was elected convenor of this Working
Party. The meeting agreed to publish an edited version of the Issues
Papers as a first publication.
A second
Working Party was established to develop the APMRN's bibliographic
database on migration and ethnic relations. The Working Party will be
chaired by DR Supang Chantanavich of Chulalongkorn University. The
database will also include statistical data on regional migration where
possible. In the initial stages, the bibliographic database will
attempt to provide summary statistical and bibliographic data and will
rely on information passed on by national networks.
A third
Working Party on Training and Education was set up and will be chaired
by Prof. Dick Bedford of Waikato University, New Zealand. The working
party would investigate possibilities for academic training, specialist
workshops on migration and ethnic relations for policy makers and
technical training in data analysis for migration researchers. An
initial task of the working party will be to compile an inventory of
existing training programs.
Dr
Chantanavich presented a concluding speech thanking all for their
participation and encouraged all delegates to continue to develop the
Network. The conference concluded with members and observers expressing
thanks to the organisers of the conference.
