The DW Academy has long been a beacon for journalistic training and freedom of expression worldwide. This year, it played a pivotal role in the global conversation around forced migration by hosting a major conference in Chiang Mai, Thailand. This event was not only instrumental in addressing the harrowing realities of forced migration across Asia, but it also served as an unparalleled networking and learning platform for journalists and social workers dealing with migration issues.
DW Academy’s Conference on Forced Migration
The DW Academy’s forced migration conference held in Thailand was a landmark event in raising awareness and creating collaborative solutions for migration issues in Asia. Supported by the German government, this gathering brought together renowned journalists, exiled media representatives, and social workers from across Asia. Many of the attendees work in precarious conditions and face the threat of deportation, particularly those reporting on sensitive issues in their home countries. By hosting this conference, DW Academy provided a platform for these journalists to share their experiences, amplify marginalized voices, and highlight the critical circumstances surrounding forced migration in Asia.
One of the core objectives was to shed light on the Rohingya crisis. Noor Azizah, a social worker and Myanmar exile, gave a keynote speech recounting the struggles of Rohingya refugees in Southeast Asia. She emphasized the ongoing hardships these refugees face and the need for a cohesive media narrative to keep the issue in the public eye. This focus on Rohingya refugees, among other groups, made the conference an essential step toward bridging the gap between journalists, policymakers, and the affected populations.
Unique Conference
The conference was unique in its structure and objectives. Unlike other conventions, it prioritized hands-on interaction and real-life storytelling, with numerous workshops that tackled the complexities of reporting on migration in challenging environments. For instance, journalists had the opportunity to interact directly with media organizations in exile, such as Myanmar’s exiled media groups based in Thailand, Malaysia, and Indonesia. These sessions provided journalists from across Asia with vital insights on how to maintain their work under restrictive conditions.
An additional highlight was the screening of Endless Exile, a documentary by Pakistani filmmaker Waseem Shahzad Qadri that portrays the plight of refugees in Pakistan. Qadri spoke about Pakistan’s role in hosting Afghan refugees and the enduring hardships they face, highlighting how prolonged exile can devastate the lives of displaced individuals. The documentary screening brought an emotional depth to the conference, reminding attendees of the human cost of forced migration.
How Was It Beneficial for Asian Journalists
The Chiang Mai conference offered significant benefits for Asian journalists and social workers. For journalists, it was a rare chance to collaborate with peers from different countries who face similar obstacles and threats. They learned about new techniques for safely reporting on sensitive issues related to migration, gained fresh perspectives on forced migration narratives, and developed methods for presenting these stories in ways that promote empathy and action.
Workshops conducted by DW Academy were particularly beneficial as they provided technical training in areas like fact-checking, secure communication, and ethical reporting on migration. Social workers also gained from these workshops by understanding how to work with journalists to amplify the stories of refugees, ensuring that their voices are heard.
Thailand’s unique role as a safe space for exiled media was another focal point. DW Academy facilitated meetings between Asian journalists and Thai-based media organizations representing exiled Myanmar journalists, fostering collaborations that would otherwise be challenging in more restrictive environments.
DW Academy’s Role in Training Journalists
For years, DW Academy has been at the forefront of journalism education, focusing on press freedom, digital rights, and the professional development of journalists around the world. Its training programs span a range of topics, from ethical journalism to technical skills like data security and reporting under censorship. In Asia, DW Academy has actively engaged with journalists working in conflict zones, particularly those covering sensitive issues like forced migration, human rights abuses, and political repression.
Through its workshops, DW Academy not only trains journalists in professional ethics but also emphasizes the importance of accuracy, impartiality, and resilience. These qualities are especially critical for journalists working in authoritarian regimes, where independent reporting can be met with persecution.
Current Trends in Global Migration
According to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), global migration has reached record levels in recent years. In 2023, OECD countries saw a new high in permanent migration, with 6.5 million new permanent migrants entering member states. This surge represents a 10% increase over the previous year, driven mainly by family reunification and labor migration. Countries like the United Kingdom and the United States have seen unprecedented numbers of immigrants, with the UK now ranking as the second largest recipient of migrants among OECD nations.
Another significant trend is the rise in asylum applications. In 2023, OECD countries registered 2.7 million new asylum applications—a 30% increase from 2022. The primary origins of asylum seekers include Venezuela, Colombia, Syria, and Afghanistan, reflecting global instability and economic hardships that drive people from their homelands. In the United States alone, over one million asylum applications were filed, surpassing even European OECD countries in volume.
The economic implications of this trend are complex. Many developed countries, particularly those with aging populations like Japan and Switzerland, rely on migrant labor to support their economies. The OECD Secretary-General Mathias Cormann noted that strong labor demand is a driving factor for migration in these countries, with sectors like healthcare and eldercare heavily dependent on foreign workers.
How Can the World Address Forced Migration?
The global community faces the formidable challenge of managing forced migration in ways that balance humanitarian needs with economic and security concerns. The first step is fostering international cooperation. Many countries with high refugee intake are in desperate need of support, both financially and structurally, to ensure that refugees can integrate successfully without overwhelming host communities.
Enhanced support for refugee-receiving countries in Asia, particularly through financial aid, could alleviate some of the burden. Moreover, the global community must work on addressing the root causes of forced migration, such as armed conflicts, political repression, and climate change.
Another important approach is the advancement of safe and legal migration pathways, which can reduce the number of migrants resorting to dangerous journeys. Initiatives like community sponsorship programs and work visas can help people migrate safely and contribute economically to their host countries. Finally, media organizations like DW Academy play a pivotal role in shaping public opinion and dispelling myths about migrants. By fostering accurate, empathetic reporting, media can help shift the narrative and build public support for policies that protect migrants’ rights.
Forced migration in Asia
The DW Academy conference in Chiang Mai, Thailand, was a vital gathering that addressed the pressing issue of forced migration in Asia. It allowed journalists and social workers to collaborate, learn, and innovate new methods of reporting on migration. Through this event and its broader mission, DW Academy continues to empower journalists to cover critical stories with accuracy and compassion.
Forced migration remains one of the most urgent issues of our time, with record numbers of people seeking safety and better lives across borders. Addressing this issue will require a multifaceted approach that includes global cooperation, support for frontline countries, and accurate, empathetic reporting. As the world grapples with unprecedented levels of migration, institutions like DW Academy and its partners in the media play an essential role in fostering understanding and creating pathways for positive change.
References
- OECD. (2023). Migration Outlook 2023.
- DW Academy. (2024). Empowering Journalists in Asia: Forced Migration Conference Overview. DW Academy Reports.
- Cormann, M. (2023). OECD Secretary-General Remarks on Migration.
