The Turkish Migration Studies Network (TurkMiS) Symposium Organized by AYBÜ GPM and Osnabrück University Concludes
Traditionally organized by Dr. Franck Düvell, a faculty member at Osnabrück University, the 15th edition of the Turkish Migration Studies Network (TurkMiS) Symposium was hosted by Dr. Franck Düvell and Dr. Ali Zafer Sağıroğlu, Director of AYBÜ GPM, on behalf of the university.
The symposium, held online on July 29-30, 2021, was titled "Advances, Recent Trends and Knowledge Gaps in Forced Migration and Refugee Research in and on Turkey." Over the course of two days, the symposium included presentations, discussions, and evaluations from leading academics and various civil society representatives in both national and international fields. The symposium presented valuable insights regarding Turkey’s refugee and migration agenda from past, present, and future perspectives. We express our endless gratitude to all the participants for their contributions.
Symposium Content:
On the first day of the symposium, after opening remarks by Dr. Düvell and Dr. Sağıroğlu, three presentations were made under the theme “Mobility and External Dimension,” moderated by Dr. Başak Kale from Middle East Technical University (METU):
- Dr. Sezgi Karacan (Ottawa University, Canada): “Governing Mobilities and Negotiating Borders: Im/mobility of Syrian Refugees in Turkey”
- Dr. Didem Danış (Galatasaray University, Turkey): “Externalization and Subcontractor Role on Turkey on Refugee Mobility”
- Dr. Hidayet Sıddıkoğlu (Bilim Organization for Research & Social Studies, Afghanistan): “New Developments in Afghanistan and Possible Migration Effects on Turkey and EU”
In the afternoon session of the first day, a second panel titled “Urban and Economic Lives” was held, moderated by Ms. Esme Bayar, Project Advisor at Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ). Four presentations were made:
- Research Assistant Feriha Nazda Güngördi (Çankaya University, Turkey): “Refugee Emplacement in Urban Areas: The Multi-scalar Mobility Patterns and Location Choices of Syrian Refugees in Izmir, Turkey”
- Nur Sultan Çırakman (ODTÜ, Ankara-Project Advisor): “Exclusion-related Challenges Against the Food Security of Urban Syrian Refugees in Southeast Turkey and Possible Solutions”
- Büşra Uslu Ak (GIZ, Ankara-Project Advisor): “Employment Experiences of Migrants with Different Protection Status in Turkey”
- Dr. Başak Kale (ODTÜ, Turkey) and Dr. Kemal Kirişçi (Brookings Institute, Washington, USA): “Developing EU Trade Incentives: A Support Tool for Refugee Self-reliance and Host Community Resilience in Turkey”
At the end of the day, Dr. Düvell chaired a presentation by Dr. Ahmet İçduygu (Koç University, Turkey) titled “Forced Migration and the (Un-/Re) Making of Turkey: a Longue Durée Perspective.”
On the second day, the symposium began with a panel on “Social Cohesion and Integration Challenges” moderated by Dr. Didem Danış (Galatasaray University, Turkey). The following presentations were made:
- Dr. Ayşegül Kayaoğlu (Istanbul Technical University): “From Temporary Guests to Protracted Rival Invaders: Attitudes toward Syrian Refugees in Turkey”
- Dr. Hakan Gülerce (Harran University): “Perceptions of Syrians on Social Cohesion; Challenges and Opportunities”
- Miresi Busana (GIZ): “GIZ Turkey’s work in the Support to Refugees and Host Communities Cluster”
At the end of the day, a panel discussion titled “A Research-Policy Dialogue: 10 Years of Displacement from Syria, 10 Years of Reforming Turkish Migration Governance, 10 Years of Knowledge Production: What Has Been Achieved, What Remains to Be Done?” was conducted. This session involved evaluations from key speakers, including Mr. Atilla Toros, Founder Director of the Directorate General of Migration Management (DGMM), Ms. Aycan Akdeniz, Portfolio Manager at ICMPD Turkey, Dr. Erdem Ayçicek (MSYD, Ankara), and Dr. Didem Danış (Galatasaray University).
The symposium concluded with closing remarks by Dr. Franck Düvell (IMIS, Osnabrück) and Dr. Ali Zafer Sağıroğlu (AYBU-GPM, Ankara).