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International conference "Migration and Displacement in Sub-Saharan Africa" sparks off new cooperation

February 18, 2009

From 13-14 February 2009, researchers, practitioners and politicians from Africa and Europe participated in the international BICC Conference: "Migration and Displacement in Sub-Saharan Africa. The Security-Migration Nexus II" in Bonn. BICC (Bonn International Center for Conversion), inspired by the conference, will build up a network for sharing ideas and fostering cooperation in the field of migration and displacement and is planning to organize a follow-up conference, preferably in Africa.

The first day of the conference focused on research questions and dealt with causes and different shapes of forced migration in Sub-Saharan Africa as well as its social impact. On the second day, participants mainly examined courses of action and instruments of migration governance. "This conference has provided us with the opportunity to deliberate on findings based on presentations of current state-of-the-art research and to explore future research aspects of the findings as well as discuss concrete political approaches", Peter J. Croll, Director of BICC, concludes.

The summary and outlook of the conference, given by Baffour D. Amoa, West African Action Network on Small Arms (WAANSA), Accra, consisted of 15 agenda points.

It especially addressed the nexus between research and policy. There is lack of proper studies and analyses of international migration in Africa. "There are only very few research centers in Africa dealing with this issue", Dr. Khoti Kamanga, Centre for the Study of Forced Migration (CSFM), University of Dar es Salaam, explains. "A lot still has to be done to link policy and academia."

As another core issue, the conference pointed out capacity-building and training. The challenge posed by forced migration requires an interdisciplinary approach hence there is the need to involve all stakeholders. Forced migration discussions should also include gender perspectives. Displacement is a human rights issue and states must take responsibility and address issues of impunity. "What we need in the field of migration is something like an International Training Group, which can give coordinated support", Croll suggests.

The conference urgently called for improved data and information exchange. Africa rarely shares information on international migration. "Reliable and comparable data on international migration in Sub-Saharan Africa is lacking," Baffour D. Amoa criticizes.

As another mayor point the conference called for changes in development policy. Causes of forced migration should be addressed strategically not merely to minimize resources needed to respond to the consequences of forced migration. A weak focus on conflict prevention is one of the reasons for the escalation of the problem of forced migration. "Migration must be a constant feature of the development agenda", Croll underlines.

In his concluding remarks the Director of BICC announced that

  • Measures will be taken to build up a network for sharing ideas and fostering cooperation in the field of migration and displacement.
  • BICC is planning to organize other workshops on migration issues in 2009 and an e-conference in the course of the year.
  • BICC is aiming to organize an event in a year's time, preferably in Africa.

All contributions to "Migration and Displacement in Sub-Saharan Africa. The Security-Migration Nexus II" will be part of a conference report, which will be published soon.


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