Trade Liberalisation, Economic Reform and Displacement: Comparative Research from the Asia Pacific

12-13 December 2009

This workshop is by invitation only.
Organiser: Dr Ruchira Ganguly-Scrase

This international, invited workshop examines the experiences and representations refugees and displaced people in the Asia Pacific region. An increasingly important issue for the region is the rising number of people who are becoming displaced within their homelands as well as seeking refuge across bordering areas. This has been precipitated by series of economic and political crises, compounded by neoliberal globalisation. In this workshop the presenters will examine experiences of forced migration and the neo-liberal global context in which they occur. Over the past two decades the implementation of neoliberal policies have not only resulted in widespread displacements, but have simultaneously given rise to exclusionary politics. While globalisation conjures up a vision of a borderless world, as a result of free flow of goods, we will critically examine the ways in increasingly nation states have closed their borders to the displaced, emphasising the distinction between ‘economic’ migrants and political refugees.

The scholarship brings together a variety of interdisciplinary approaches ranging from literary interpretations, ethnographic and qualitative research methods and document analysis. The papers based on the most recent empirical research have been carried out in several countries across the Asia Pacific. Paying particular attention to incorporating the voices of the displaced, we will highlight their experiences of re-settlement. By examining various forms of displacement that are taking place the presenters will uncover the causes underpinning forced movements of populations. The collection of papers aims to demonstrate the difficulties associated with establishing the difference between environmental, economic and political factors.

The aim is to intensively workshop these issues, summarise the key concerns and problems and ways ahead for the future. Early Career Researchers will have the opportunity to present their ideas to a critical audience as well as having the avenue to publish their work as the outcome of the workshop is a volume comprising essays by the participants.