Examining Migration Dynamics: Networks and Beyond

Why do some migrants set off the movement of thousands of people, while others are followed only by a few, or remain virtually alone in the destination country? Some answers can be found in the variation in economic and social conditions in different places. Another vital part of the puzzle relates to the historical, social and cultural practices of migration: those who move now are following in the footsteps of those who left before. This conference examines how enduring patterns of migration emerge, are sustained and decline; the mechanisms by which the migration processes of yesterday influence those of today; and the role of the migrant as a social actor in the face of these historical and social processes.

The conference will take an inter-disciplinary approach to migration dynamics drawing on comparative studies of international and internal migration processes and will include contributions covering both origin and destination countries/regions.

Keynote speakers

• Thomas Faist (Bielefeld University)
• Douglas Massey (Princeton University)
• Ewa Morawska (University of Essex)

With THEMIS project keynote presentations by Oliver Bakewell, Cindy Horst and Godfried Engbersen.

The concluding plenary session was led by Lucinda Fonseca.