Environmental Change And Migration: From Vulnerabilities To Capabilities

CALL FOR PAPERS

The European Science Foundation (ESF), Bielefeld University and its Center for Interdisciplinary Research are seeking proposals for their joint conference on:

ENVIRONMENTAL CHANGE AND MIGRATION: FROM VULNERABILITIES TO CAPABILITIES

The conference focuses on how environmental change impacts the interplay between vulnerabilities on the one hand and capabilities on the other hand, and how this relationship affects mobility patterns. It is the first of a conference series on "Environmental Degradation, Conflict and Forced Migration".

The Conference takes place from 5-9 of December 2010.

DEADLINE FOR SUBMITTING PROPOSALS: AUGUST 15, 2010.

For any further questions please contact:
Jeanette Schade - envimig-esf@uni-bielefeld.de

Quote from the concept note:

"As climate change increases vulnerability, experts and observers in the mass media have claimed that this vulnerability will be a major factor driving future migration flows, particularly in the global south. But as plausible as this argument may be, it neglects the fact that migration may not function simply as an expression of vulnerability but also of capability. Migration -- in certain circumstances -- serves to increase life-chances indirectly by insuring against risks such as crop failure or income loss more generally. Or it may open new possibilities for earning a living. This conference is meant to shed light on environmentally induced migration by integrating a capabilities perspective into current debates"