Call for Abstracts - Workstream on Migrant Smuggling

The Workstream "Ensuring migrant protection through strengthened responses to migrant smuggling and increased coordination on its linkages with trafficking in persons" was established under the framework of the Global Compact on Migration. It supports the implementation of initiatives against the smuggling of migrants, especially where it intersects with trafficking in persons.

The Workstream invites researchers to submit abstracts of ongoing studies related to the following themes :

• "Understanding decision-making processes shaping individuals’ choices to embark on smuggling-facilitated journeys".
• "The impact of law enforcement operations to counter the smuggling of migrants on patterns of local development and mobility."

Selected contributions will part of invited to submit a 2000 – 3000 word article to be included in a Special Issue/Edited Collection by the UN Migration Network, addressing various aspects of counter-smuggling and its impacts. Contributors are encouraged to use gender perspectives and intersectional approaches. Submissions should align with the aims and scope of the Special Issue/Edited Collection and contribute to the advancement of knowledge in this field. Individuals and/or entities currently underrepresented in ongoing debates on smuggling and counter-smuggling are specially encouraged to apply.

Please submit a 200-300 word abstract to unmignet@iom.int, Samantha Munodawafa at samantha.munodawafa@un.org and Rita Deliperi at rdeliperi@iom.int by June 30, 2024. Participants will be notified of their acceptance by July 31, 2024. Selected authors will be invited to join an online workshop taking place in Summer 2024 (date TBD). Final papers are due on October 15, 2024. In the meanwhile, questions can be addressed to the organizers, Samantha Munodawafa of the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (samantha.munodawafa@un.org), Rita Deliperi at the International Organization for Migration (rdeliperi@iom.int).

While this topic engages issues relating to the Global Compact on Refugees that are beyond the scope of the GCM, the UN Network on Migration can catalyse efforts to advance the GCM objectives in such mixed flows, with UNHCR coordinating refugee-related engagements.