SEMINAR
on the occasion ofSeventh Session of the Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction (GP2022)

Migration, Dignity, Fragility and Pandemics- Livelihoods of immigrants before and after COVID-19 Pandemics on Tuesday 24 May 2022, from 14:00 to 16:00
at Garuda Room in Nusa Dua Beach Hotel & Spa, Bali, Indonesia

organized by (in alphabetic order)
Environmental Law Institute (ELI), Washington DC, USA
Global Infrastructure Fund Research Foundation Japan (GIF Japan), Tokyo, Japan
Ocean Policy Research Institute, Sasakawa Peace Foundation (OPRI-SPF), Tokyo, Japan
Migration is dynamic and varies greatly across the globe due to myriad factors, including demography,economy, geography, and environment. As people move, a number of challenges exist that can leave humanrights and human dignity as an afterthought to the migration process.
COVID-19 has drastically changed mobility and migration in key spheres, such as transportation, travel,construction, and hospitality. Our collaborative research was conducted between 2020 and 2021; therefore,
we had the opportunity to witness a once-in-a-century global pandemic with direct impacts on migration
inflows and outflows. Consequently, we have included pandemics as a key theme for consideration in thisissue, believing that the research agenda should be informed by the assessment of impacts in both the atollcountries and in the United States – the most common “destination” of Pacific Islanders. This additional
research revealed the vulnerabilities of migrants in the destination countries and in their home countries,vulnerabilities that would not otherwise have been apparent.
Our research was also directly impacted by the pandemic. We intended to conduct field research in countries
such as the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI), the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM), and theRepublic of Maldives, with the RMI and FSM serving as countries of “origin” for migration to the UnitedStates. In the Maldives, there is a large domestic migration from the atolls to the newly constructed manmade islands. We experienced research and travel limitations due to COVID-19, where many countries
have adopted strict isolation policies to prevent the spread of disease. Therefore, we had to conduct oursurveys remotely using the Internet or by asking collaborators living in the area to conduct surveys on ourbehalf.
Our research also touches on the issue of the intergenerationality of immigrants in terms of how migrants
adapt or assimilate into the receiving society, and how the mass media plays a role in the perceptions ofmigrants and the perceived problems associated with immigration by host countries.
This seminar serves as an arena to disseminate what we have found through our research.

Provisional Agenda
14:00

Welcome Remarks by Mikiyasu Nakayama (GIF Japan)

14:10"Methodology and Application of a Migration with Dignity Framework" by Shanna McClain(ELI)

14:30"Alternatives for Atoll Countries to Cope with the Anticipated Sea Level Rise by Climate
Change" by Mikiyasu Nakayama (GIF Japan)

14:50"Highly Skilled Migrant Workers as a Vulnerability of Small Island Developing States During
the COVID-19 Pandemic" by Miko Maekawa (OPRI-SPF)

15:10

Discussions (MC: Shanna McClain)
Panelists: TBD

15:50

Closing Remarks by Shanna McClain (ELI)[note: tea/coffee and snacks are provided for participants]