Allow me a few words to express the pleasure this invitation has given me. There is first the concept of bringing various universities of Asia and Latin America together, which no doubt is a very enriching approach to exchange on a global phenomenon. Secondly because this is done from a specifically Catholic perspective, which proves that Church is continuously active on the many societal challenges. Thirdly, I truly felt that this invitation is an opportunity to learn from and contribute to the various academic analyses this colloquium intends to develop and lastly because it is an honour to be invited as the icebreaker and opening speaker of this colloquium. This being said I sincerely want to thank the organizers, the Santo Tomás University, the IFCU and especially Prof. Msgr. Thivierge for this opportunity to exchange with academics from Asia and Latin America, on one of the major challenges of our ever more globalized world.

In my introduction I intend to raise a fundamental question on the methodology used to approach the human mobility issue as it divides over the various groups and statuses including the forcibly displaced. I will then try to identify a basis to monitor and manage human mobility and subsequently identify a few tools that may serve in this process of building future and adequate responses.

Understanding displacement

The word ‘displacement’ generates images of populations forced to move from one place to another place, but it remains obvious that these movements are more than just about geographical displacements and that the movement itself is framed by two distinct components: in the first instance by the forces and reasons that have driven people away from home (many against their will) and for which there is a need for protection and assistance; and secondly, by the experience of arriving and integrating somewhere else. These two aspects of displacement—bookends if you will, point to complex emergencies and humanitarian issues on the one hand and on the other at global and local development levels, societal and economic challenges, legal statuses and the absence of such status, environmental causes and of course at the many gaps in existing frameworks (or where such frameworks exist, gaps in their implementation) to protect and improve the well-being of all populations. That is, displacement includes both the need for protection and the call for some support in the process of settling down, temporarily or for the rest of one’s life.

To read the presentation in its entirety, please see the pdf below.

Mobility 'slicing' and fuller societal response (497.22 KB)