IGU CPG

EU-Africa migration conundrum in a changing global order

CALL FOR PAPERS:

 

International Scientific Conference and Workshop

EU-Africa migration conundrum in a changing global order

 

21-22 November 2019

University of Eastern Finland, Joensuu campus, Finland

 

 

The conference brings into conversation leading academics, policy-makers, political observers and practitioners from civil society to explore and examine the current EU-Africa relationships vis-à-vis migration. The issue of migration is challenging this relationship, whereas concrete efforts need to be taken in order for the benefits of the increased interaction to be better harnessed and the unprecedented flows of people managed. The conference will approach the topic thought the lens of border studies, an internationally recognized area of expertise of the Karelian Institute, UEF (Joensuu), in order to evaluate EU-Africa relations in a changing global order. An important aim of the conference will also get informed by lessons and parallels drawn from across Africa, and chiefly, the integration experience of the EU—particularly the Schengen Area—in moving from free movement of labour (only) to EU citizenship, as enshrined in Article 20 (1) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union. Africa, in particular, is characterised by extensive interactions across its artificial and contiguous borders and borderlands, just as there are increasing migration flows from Africa to Europe.

The issue of migration is challenging intra-Africa relationships as well as its relationships with other regions of the world, such as Europe. Thus, the imperative to examine intra-Africa relations vis-à-vis migration, in the context of borders and boundaries and evaluate EU-Africa relations in a global order characterised by unprecedented fluxes of men, women and children between the two continents. In particular, Africa is characterised by extensive interactions across its artificial and contiguous borders and borderlands, just as there are increasing flows of migration from Africa to Europe. Several questions arise, such as inter alia; How should these fluxes be managed to promote socioeconomic transformation and development in Africa? What lessons can be gleaned from the experiences of the EU?

 

This conference is timely as it speaks to contemporary but longstanding issues that impact the continents concerned and the global political economy. Its outcomes and products will speak directly to and inform policy in a bid to formulate working solutions to these challenges. It will also contribute to ongoing discussions and debates in academia on matters raised and thus contribute to theory building. Moreover, the project has as its innovative strength, the proposed conferring of academics, policy makers and practitioners to exchange views, experiences and seek solutions to challenges concerning human mobility in general and the related issues of borders, boundaries and regional integration. The potential of networks that will also be built from this experience for future endeavours and development in general for Africa, the EU and relationships between the continents cannot be overstated.

Following the kick off conference hosted by the Centre for the Study of Governance Innovation in Pretoria, South Africa, this second conference will be a two two-day event that will focus on human mobility and migration issues with respect to borders, boundaries and regional integration, and one international conference focusing on EU-Africa relations vis-à-vis migration and borders, under the theme “the EU-Africa migration conundrum in a changing global order.” In addition to the open conference, a closed workshop will be held in which participants will engage in detailed exchanges and discussions of issues framed out in the concept note.

 

PRACTICALITIES

• The participants are encouraged to submit a full paper to be considered for an edited volume to prepared based on the conference deliberations.

 

• The deadline for submission of abstracts is 2 September 2019.

 

• Please send a MS Word document in English containing: author’s name, affiliation, e-mail address, a paper title, and a clear and concise abstract of max. 250 words by email to Dr. Jussi Laine at jussi.laine@uef.fi

 

• The scientific committee will select those contributions which best fit the theme of the call for papers and selected participants will be notified by 12 September 2019.

 

• Participants are expected to make and cover for their own travel and accommodation arrangements.

 

• The participation is free of charge. Lunches as well as a conference dinner will provided for all registered and presenting participants.

 

• Travel grants: there are seven max. 1.000,00 EUR travel grants available to support attendees. To apply for the travel grant, please include a short motivation letter of why you should be awarded the travel grant in the same document together with your abstract. All travel grants awardees are expected to submit a full-length chapter for the edited volume. Note that there may be more meritorious applications than we will be able to award. Grants are awarded to attendants only upon providing receipts of expenses made in light of attending the conference.

 

For any other questions, please contact Dr. Jussi Laine: jussi.laine@uef.fi

 

 

The conference is supported by the Jean Monnet activity within the ERASMUS+ programme Africa-EU relations, migration, development and integration (587767-EPP-1-2017-1-ZA-EPPJMO-PROJECT) together with the Joensuu University Foundation.