GENDOT 2024 Conference: ‘Intercultural Adaptation and Support in the Context of Globalisation: Challenges and Opportunities for International Students’
In October, Migrant Action participated in an international forum on Migration organised by GENDOT- (Ministry of Education Global Youth Action Plan selected
team 2024: dedicated to enhancing the job-seeking experience for international students in Taiwan). The conference theme was ‘Intercultural Adaptation &
Support in the Context of Globalisation: Challenges and Opportunities for International Students‘
Representing Migrant Action at the conference were, Fidelis Chebe (CEO- Migrant Action) and Holly Mogford (Researcher with University of Swansea & Strategic partner on Migration Justice). Fidelis and Holly co-presented a short discourse on ‘Structural vulnerability, International students and Migration Justice- A Discourse!’
The paper did not only highlight the challenging political economy of global migration and the implications for policy responses, media and community relations and infrastructures for supporting adaptation, effective integration, sustainable well-being and access to right and justice for migrants including international students.
Based on lived experience, research, casework, and wider experiences of International students navigating different systems and environments in the UK, our discourse articulated the ‘systemic’ vulnerabilities of international students and the urgency for a coordinated response by different stakeholders including but not limited to governmental agencies,(local, regional and national), humanitarian agencies, grassroots organizations, corporate entities, etc. Such an integrated,
collaborative and coordinated approach grounded in a vision for transformative social change and migration justice, offers best pathways for international students to adapt, effectively integrate, thrive and contribute meaningfully to the host countries whilst realising their hopes and dreams. Through working together, we build solidarity and collective power for enabling and embedding transformative change.
