SIXTH INTERNATIONAL METROPOLIS CONFERENCE

WORKSHOP 25: Asia-Pacific Perspectives on Transnational Flows and Networks: Asia-Pacific Migration Research Network

Wednesday, November 28, 2001
14:00 - 17:30


ORGANIZERS

Paul Spoonley
Professor
Regional Director (Auckland), College of Humanities and Social Sciences, Massey University
Private Bag 102 904
Atrium Building, Massey University
Albany
North Shore, New Zealand
64-9-441 8171
64-9-441 8169
P.Spoonley@massey.ac.nz

Christine Inglis
Associate-Professor
Director
Multicultural Research Centre
Faculty of Education A35
University of Sydney
New South Wales
Australia 2006
61-2-9351 3161
61-2-9351 4580
c.inglis@edfac.usyd.edu.au

WORKSHOP DESCRIPTION

At the 4th international meeting of the Asia-Pacific Migration Research Network, (a project affiliated with UNESCO's MOST Programme), certain themes emerged which participants were keen to explore further, given their implications for the Asia-Pacific region. These will provide the basis for the workshop at the Metropolis conference, with an important emphasis on the policy implications of these issues.

· The magnitude, trends and patterns of migration and settlement in the Asia-Pacific region, especially the significance of diasporas, old and new, and the intensification of transnational networks;
· The implications of increased international migration for the nation-states of the region, combined with the growth of regional and global labour markets and regional integration;
· The role and place of ethnic minorities in Asia-Pacific societies, and the tensions between various forms of transnationalism and civil society integration and cohesiveness;
· Policy strategies and inter-governmental co-operation arising from migration and ethnic diversity in the Asia-Pacific region.

The workshop is an opportunity to continue the dialogue between researchers, those responsible for policy in the region and NGOs on such matters as irregular migration, the return migration of skilled personnel, regional labour market systems, the dynamics of transnational communities and the blurring of boundaries between different forms of internal and international migration. Inevitably, many of the policy responses involve significant levels of inter-governmental understanding and co-operation. All the participants will be required to address these international dimensions, especially the policy requirements. Such considerations and collaboration is now a well-established part of the Asia-Pacific Migration Research Network activities with each regional network required to co-ordinate between researchers, policy makers and community organisations with an interest in migration and settlement.

DURATION:

2 *1.5 hour sessions

PARTICIPANTS

Researchers: Professor Paul Spoonley, Regional Director (Auckland)
College of Humanities and Social Sciences
Massey University, New Zealand
Regional Deputy Chair, Asia-Pacific Migration Research Network

Associate-Professor Christine Inglis, Director,
Multicultural Research Centre, University of Sydney, Australia

Dr Kirsten Lovelock, Department of Anthropology,
University of Otago, New Zealand

Associate-Professor Pauline Gardiner Barber
Department of Sociology and Social Anthropology
Dalhousie University, Canada

Policy-Makers:
Dr Nadia Auriat
UNESCO, Paris

NGOs: Dr Graziano Battistella
Scalabrini Migration Center
Quezon City, Phillipines