Mapping and theorizing migration governance and diplomacy: insights from the South-to-West Asian Migration Corridor

Nicolas Blarel Discussion
Type: 
Conference
Date: 
November 1, 2018 to November 2, 2018
Location: 
Netherlands
Subject Fields: 
Diplomacy and International Relations, Human Rights, Immigration & Migration History / Studies, Middle East History / Studies, South Asian History / Studies

International Conference Call for Papers: 

Mapping and theorizing migration governance and diplomacy: insights from the South-to-West Asian Migration Corridor

Leiden University, 1-2 November 2018

In light of several critical refugee/migration crises globally, the need for deepening understandings of the various facets of migration has become all the more apparent. Yet, most studies of global migration remain focused on South-North flows and especially those which concern the EU, North America, and Australia. Labour markets in Gulf economies are considered peculiar spaces, where over 80 percent of the private sector labour force is foreign. The six economies that make up the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) are major attractors for economic migrants from South Asia, with the ILO (2015) reporting that over 90 percent of economic migrants from India, Pakistan, and Nepal leave their homes to work in the region. Gulf labour markets have attracted increased attention since international media amped up attention on the status of low-skilled construction workers from South Asia after Doha won the bid to host the 2022 FIFA World Cup. In the intervening years, it has become increasingly apparent that despite the surge of focus, insufficient attention has been given to the governance of this large migration flow.

In addition, at both a conceptual and policy level, the governance of migration has increased in complexity. Individual citizens (migrants, their families, and ethnic communities), NGOs, regional and international organizations, and states all have stakes in the migration process, and each serve as potential mechanisms of governance or venues for responding to migrant needs. Some scholars focus on the international level through the role of global institutions, others concentrate on national migration and labour regulations. Yet frameworks that account for the multilayered nature of migration governance across multiple sovereign political domains are limited.

This workshop aims to contribute to emerging debates about migration governance by bringing together an interdisciplinary group of scholars to study the different patterns and implications of one significant, albeit neglected, case: the South-to-West Asia migration corridor. Following the workshop discussions, the objective will be the inclusion of the papers in a collected volume or special issue of a journal.

Structure of conference/ participation

Contributing papers can be categorized as belonging in one of two sections: theory and case studies.

Theoretical papers aim to map and explain the multilevel governance of migration along this corridor. Who are the main actors in the regulation of migration in the South-to-West Asia (Middle East) migration corridor? What is the governance role from the actions of transnational social movements engaged in the promotion of the rights of migrant workers? What forms of cooperation and regulation are forming or have emerged at these different levels (multilateral, regional, bilateral, national, transnational, global)?

Case-studies aim to look more in depth at these dynamics of multi-layered migration governance within the context of specific corridors from South Asian states (or regions) to particular Gulf States or at particular actors within this space. The South Asian states of interest are Bangladesh, Pakistan, India (and within India, we suggest to focus on a particular state or region such as Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, etc), Nepal, Sri Lanka. The Gulf States of interest are the GCC countries (Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates). These illustrative cases are meant to map out the various actors (international, state, sub-state, non-state...) involved in providing services to migrant needs and to enhance our understanding of the multiple, simultaneous processes that form a migration governance complex in this particular corridor.

Practical information

The conference will take place from 1-2 November 2018, at Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands.

Please send an abstract of max. 500 words and a short CV to the following email address: migrationgovconf@gmail.com by July 15, 2018.

Authors will be notified regarding the acceptance of their contribution by August 1, 2018. Invited speakers will be expected to submit a draft paper two weeks prior to the event, which will be circulated among all other participants. Some financial support will be available for travel and accommodation. Please indicate if you would like to be considered for funding.

Dates to remember:

July 15, 2018: Call for proposals closes
August 1, 2018: Notification of acceptance
October 15, 2018: Conference papers should be submitted

For more information, please contact:
Crystal Ennis, Leiden Institute for Area Studies, Leiden University, c.a.ennis@hum.leidenuniv.nl, or Nicolas Blarel, Institute of Political Science, Leiden University, n.r.j.b.blarel@fsw.leidenuniv.nl

Contact Info: 

Crystal Ennis, Leiden Institute for Area Studies, Leiden University, c.a.ennis@hum.leidenuniv.nl,

Nicolas Blarel, Institute of Political Science, Leiden University, n.r.j.b.blarel@fsw.leidenuniv.nl