The fifth conference of the German Network for Forced Migration Studies took place in Bonn from September 16-18, 2024. Anas Ansar, Erkan Tümkaya and Franzisca Zanker from the Arnold-Bergstraesser-Institute attended.
The conference shed light on the global, regional and local contexts of forced migration and displacement, including the causes that force people into mobility, but also immobility. The contributions addressed a wide range of issues, such as the geopolitical, economic, social and other factors that contribute to forced migration and displacement worldwide. The conference also looked at the challenges and obstacles faced by refugees and their host communities, as well as the positive effects migration can have.
In particular, the new ethical guidelines of the German Network for Forced Migration Studies were launched at the conference. The multidisciplinary and multi-methodological field of forced migration studies requires the highest level of ethical diligence. Researchers in this field have a responsibility to protect the dignity, rights, and well-being of those involved in their studies – particularly individuals with lived experience of displacement. The Ethics Guidelines of the German Network for Forced Migration Studies provide a practical framework to ensure that research is conducted in a way that causes no harm and enables ethically sound decision-making throughout the research process. Franzisca Zanker from the ABI worked together with Ulrike Krause and Christiane Fröhlich on the development of this document. It is now available in both German and English as an Open Access publication.
Additionally, Franzisca Zanker has been re-elected to the board of the Network of Forced Migration Studies as Equal Opportunities Officer. We congratulate her on this!