The Scalabrinian Centre for Migration Studies (CSEM) held the first edition of the virtual event ‘ICoMiR Dialogues’, addressing the theme ‘Humanity on the Move: Young People and Migration in the South-East Asian Region’. The aim of the event was to bring together researchers, academics, and members of the church and pastoral organisations working with people in situations of mobility, to discuss the social, economic and human dynamics surrounding migration flows in the Asian region.
The ICoMiR Dialogues event serves as a virtual extension of the in-person editions of ICoMiR (International Conference on Migration and Refuge) project, seeking to maintain the network’s ongoing engagement, deepen debates and strengthen the exchange of experiences on migration issues within the global context.
This edition brought together more than 60 participants, including students and academics from the Phillipines and abroad,. Featuring Dr Edna Co as the Keynote Speaker and Dr Michelle R. Palumbarit as commentator, who offered complementary perspectives on youth mobility, labour policies and the rights violations faced by migrant workers.
Dr Edna Co explored in depth the factors and patterns that influence young people to migrate, as well as the challenges of global migration, emphasising the frequent threats posed by natural disasters resulting from environmental crises in Asia. Dr. Edna drew attention to the vulnerability of young migrants in the labour market, who often face precarious conditions, inadequate pay, gruelling working hours, as well as recurring instances of discrimination. In light of this reality, she argued for the urgent need to guarantee the right to decent work, promoting social justice and the comprehensive protection of these workers’ rights.
Dr Michelle then continued the discussion by emphasising that factors such as climate change are among the main drivers of intra-regional migration on the Asian continent. She also drew attention to the persistent human rights violations faced by migrant workers abroad, including cases of discrimination and abuse in host societies. Finally, she addresses Thailand’s role as a destination country for migrant workers and refugees and, at the same time, as a country from which labour migration is on the rise.