Research Workshop To Cultivate Evidence-Based Refugee Advocacy In The Country

KUALA LUMPUR, 24 July 2019 - Asia School of Business (ASB) and UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, held the 2nd annual research workshop on refugee studies and forced migration in Southeast Asia, with a specific focus on Malaysia. The Workshop highlights the importance of producing high-quality research to support policy-making and the creation of impactful community interventions in this country and the region.

“The vast majority of academic work on refugee studies has been Euro-centric and has focused on the movements of refugees from the Middle East into Europe,” said Melati Nungsari, Assistant Professor of Economics at ASB, who is also the organiser of the event.

“The documentation of socio-economic conditions, challenges faced, and proposed solutions for refugee problems in the Southeast Asian region has not been tackled to the same extent. In Malaysia alone, we have more than 175,000 refugees and asylum-seekers. It is extremely important that we understand this population by conducting rigorous and ethical research in order to ensure policy-making or advocacy work done is relevant.”

The main goal of the workshop, held for one and a half days on 23 and 24 July 2019, is to serve as a platform to connect local academics in hopes of expanding the body of ethical, well-informed, and evidence-based academic literature surrounding refugee studies and migration in Southeast Asia.

The research workshop was attended by over 80 participants from 12 countries including Malaysian and international academics involved in research related to forced displacement in Malaysia and the region, civil society members working with refugee communities, as well as members of the refugee community themselves.

“UNHCR is encouraged by the interest for more research work in the area of refugee protection in Malaysia,” said Thomas Albrecht, UNHCR Representative.

“The changing political landscape in Malaysia now presents unique opportunities to look at innovative new approaches to address both the legitimate interests of Malaysians and the protection needs of refugees, in ways that are mutually reinforcing. Working more closely in partnership with academics towards solid, evidence-based advocacy is critical in strengthening the foundations for policy change.”

The workshop covered academic poster presentations and relevant issues such as translating research into advocacy, as well as research on the impact of legal work for refugees, and issues around healthcare and livelihoods.

13 organisations run by or for the benefit of refugees also showcased their products to the public and the participants at a social enterprise marketplace that was held in conjunction with the workshop.

“We hope this annual Workshop becomes a space for networking and cross-fertilisation of ideas, and for strengthening of the collective knowledge base on refugee issues in the country, and where research gaps lie,” said Albrecht.

“Beyond that, we hope this will be the start of a community of researchers and academics working to strengthen the work of civil society, humanitarian and development agencies, refugee communities, and the Government in Malaysia, through evidence-based refugee advocacy.”

About Asia School of Business

Asia School of Business (ASB) was established in 2015 by Bank Negara Malaysia in collaboration with MIT Sloan Management to be a premier global business school, a knowledge and learning hub infused with regional expertise, insights and perspectives of Asia and the emerging economies. ASB is committed to develop transformative and principled leaders who will contribute towards advancing the emerging world. To learn more about ASB, please visit www.asb.edu.my.

About UNHCR

UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency is mandated to safeguard the rights and well-being of refugees and asylum-seekers worldwide. It strives to ensure that everyone can exercise the right to seek asylum in another country and rebuild their lives in safety and dignity.

UNHCR seeks long term solutions for refugees including finding them new homes in third countries or helping them return home voluntarily when it is safe to do so. While they are seeking temporary protection in Malaysia, UNHCR strives to create a safe and secure environment for them where their basic needs are met. UNHCR cooperates with its Government and civil society partners in humanitarian support for refugees including in education, healthcare and community support. To find out more, please visit www.unhcr.org.my

For more information, please contact:

For ASB:

Pek Ee Siew

Director of Marketing , Asia School of Business

E: [email protected] M: +6012-4353095

For UNHCR:

Yante Ismail

UNHCR Associate External Relations Officer

E: [email protected] M: +6013 352 6286