27 October 2016
Today, with more than 65 million people displaced around the world, the issue of migration, asylum and the movement of refugees is dominating news headlines and political agendas like seldom before.
The struggle by governments and communities to provided effective solutions for unprecedented numbers of people fleeing war, instability or persecution is a challenge requiring fresh social and political responses; and it’s that challenge which informs the work of the Hawke EU Centre for Mobilities, Migrations and Cultural Transformations, which is launching a special Migration Summit.
Global Tipping Points and the Role of Research: European Union and Asia Pacific Migration will bring together leading world figures in migration studies, academics, policy analysts, community activists and political leaders, to examine the role of research and policy-relevant evidence from several European and Asia-Pacific projects on migration and the crisis of asylum, over a two day summit, starting Nov 1.
Europe, the World and the Challenges of the 21st Century, the Hawke EU Centre Annual Lecture by *Baroness Janet Royall of Blaisdon PC, will officially launch the Migration Summit on Monday 31 October, in which the Baroness will argue that the values of the European Union have assumed greater importance, as global solutions are sought to the challenges of mass human migration.
The two-day summit which will follow will consist of three roundtable discussions and four keynote presentations including one by Professor Gillian Triggs, President of the Australian Human Rights Commission who will discuss: Breaking the policy deadlock: Investigating rights-based responses to flight by sea.
Professor Alison Phipps, who is in Adelaide for one month as part of the Hawke EU Centre European Thinker in Residence Program will also be presenting at the conference.
Describing the migration issue as a “global crisis of staggering proportions” Professor Anthony Elliott, UniSA Dean of External Engagement and Executive Director, Hawke EU Centre, says the Summit will act as catalyst for collaboration between those taking part.
“There is nothing new about enforced migration, yet the difference is that we live in a time now of instantaneous communications, where new information technologies and globalisation mean we need to create new social and political responses that can better respond to these challenges,” Prof Elliott says.
“I am delighted that the Hawke EU Centre is hosting this important Summit. My hope is that the Summit will engage those involved in creating bold ideas amongst an exceptionally diverse group of key thinkers, advocates and citizens.
The Hawke EU Centre Annual Lecture will take place at 6pm on October 31 at the Allan Scott Auditorium, Hawke Building.
*Baroness Janet Royall of Blaisdon PC was Leader of the House of Lords and a member of the British Cabinet under UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown’s Administration. She has been strongly committed to the advancement of the European project, and has served as Secretary General of the British Labour Group in the European Parliament and as Head of the European Commission Office in Wales.
Contacts
The Bob Hawke Prime Ministerial Centre: Phoebe Smith office (08) 8302 1071 email Phoebe.smith@unisa.edu.au
Media contact: Will Venn office +61 883020096 mob 0401 366054 email will.venn@unisa.edu.au
