Call for Submissions: In-Person Conference on Forced Migration

People worldwide are increasingly being forced to leave their homes. Those in Asia are especially affected by displacement. The UNHCR, in its latest global trends report, points to 15.7 million forcibly displaced and stateless persons in the Asia-Pacific region alone. However, studies show that the narrative around displacement is often skewed, leading to biased reporting and misinformation, which in turn can increase hostility towards refugees and migrants. In addition, the media rarely see them as a target market – one more reason the displaced lack access to information they need.

DW Akademie invites you to address these issues at an in-person conference being held October 31 – November 3, 2024 in Chiang Mai, Thailand. As a media professional, content creator or Asia-based expert specializing in this field, you will have the chance to discuss your challenges, share your innovative local approach and be inspired by a community of peers. They aim to facilitate an open dialogue on improving media coverage and information-sharing for and with refugees and displaced people, and to discuss ways to improve access to information as well as stimulate dialogue with host communities. In addition, they will look at best practices for exiled Asian media on how to survive and thrive. The goal is to foster understanding and collaborative solution-seeking.

Themes and Topics

• Understanding forced migration
  • Forced migration in Asia: insight into trends and recent developments
  • Highlighting related issues: i.e. environmental and climate migration, human trafficking, forced migration from a gender perspective, support for internally displaced persons, repatriation
• Reporting on forced migration
  • The role of social media influencers in shaping perceptions
  • Beyond the “victim or perpetrator” framing: changing narratives
  • Conflict-sensitive and constructive reporting in forced migration contexts
  • Overcoming compassion fatigue, rebuilding empathy
  • Addressing harmful information and hate speech
  • Creative use of visuals
• Access to information, freedom of expression
  • The role and best practices of exiled media: reporting for audiences in countries in crisis and those in the diaspora.
  • Reporting from inside the communities: communicators, community reporters, citizen journalists.
  • Using new digital technologies/artificial intelligence for information and communication in forced migration settings.

What to expect? 

• Meet regional peers and have access to an inspiring network.
• Attend all three days of the conference, with engaging sessions, networking opportunities and an excursion.
• If you are based outside of Chiang Mai, DW Akademie will cover your air fare (round-trip) from your location (nearest airport) to Chiang Mai as well as full board during the conference. This also applies to those attending the optional, additional workshop held November 4, 2024.
• Not included:
  • Your local transport costs
  • If you are based outside of Thailand, you must hold a valid travel document. Please check if you will also need a visa and apply for this yourself.

Who can apply? 

• Media practitioners, content creators (e.g. community or citizen reporters, social media influencers, YouTube creators, etc.), representatives of civil society organizations and researchers (currently) based in one of the following Asian countries: Bangladesh, Pakistan, Thailand, Malaysia, India, Indonesia, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Vietnam or Cambodia. If you are an Afghan applicant based outside of Afghanistan, or a citizen of one of the countries above based in Australia, they would like to hear from you, too.
• They especially encourage submissions from women, members of minority communities and those who have experienced forced migration themselves.
• The conference will be held in English.

For more information, visit DW Akademie.