This year the annual Quetelet Conference of the UCL Centre for Demographic Research will focus on the analysis of demographic flows and behaviours of refugee and displaced populations, and will include a screening of the documentary ‘Exode’ followed by a debate.
In 2015, more than 65 million people – one in every 113 people – were displaced by conflict, persecution, violence or human rights violations. Two-thirds were displaced within their own country, one-third were refugees and 5% were asylum seekers, according to the United Nations Refugee Agency. The displacement of populations worldwide reached unprecedented levels. However, the number of refugees who are admitted to Western countries remains modest, even though the subject of refugees preoccupies public opinion and political debates. Recent political changes in the United States and some European Union countries suggest that in the coming years access will continue to narrow and border controls will intensify.
In this context, demographers and social science researchers have a role to play, including in estimating displaced population flows, studying the life trajectories of displaced persons, and improving the quality and comparability of displaced population statistics. Overall, beyond measuring population masses and flows, few analyses focus specifically on the demographic flows and behaviours of refugees and displaced persons, but this is exactly what the 2017 Quetelet Conference will aim to do. Hosted by the UCL Centre for Demographic Research, the conference will include an evening debate stimulated by a screening of the documentary ‘Exode’ on Wednesday 29 November (click to register).
Register to attend the conference via this online form.
The conference will address five main areas:
Questions on data and methods
In a world in motion, how can forced migrations be reliably measured? What are the most appropriate survey techniques in the absence of a baseline survey? What is the reliability of routine data, such as data collected in refugee camps? What use can be made of sample surveys and censuses?
Migratory routes
In recent years, the number of displaced persons has increased significantly. Has the increase been accompanied by changes in migratory routes? Have Europe’s stricter entry conditions encouraged the development of new routes? Among the individuals who have acquired refugee status, how frequent are return migrations? What do we know about the migration routes of rejected asylum seekers?
Health of refugee and displaced populations
What are the risks of death during displacement or in refugee camps? To what extent do host and home populations differ from displaced persons in terms of health, including mental health? Is it possible to highlight mortality differentials, possibly by cause of death, between these populations?
Impact of forced displacement on families and couples
How are forced displacements organised in time and space for members of the same family? What is the influence of refugee migration patterns on the formation or breakdown of couples? How do family reunifications unfold in the context of forced displacement? How does the displacement experience change fertility intentions and behaviours? What are the consequences of forced displacement on the future of children (education, family environment)?
Legal framework and life trajectories
The legal framework for the reception of displaced persons changes constantly, sometimes suddenly. What are the consequences of changes in the legal framework on the lives of refugees? The conference will focus both on the conditions of access to the territory (including through humanitarian visas) and the rights of displaced persons.