| |
 |
 |
|
|
|
| UNESCO/APMRN hosts “Climate Change Related Migration in the Pacific” workshop in Fiji |
|
|
News 1 of 20
The Asia Pacific Migration Research Network (APMRN), established by UNESCO in 1995, jointly hosted a workshop at the University of the South Pacific in Suva, Fiji, on 14 and 15 May 2009, in order to address the important issues related to the likelihood of increasing numbers of people being compelled to leave their homes and livelihoods as a consequence of environmental changes produced by global warming.
Extreme weather events such as floods, droughts, cyclones and accompanying waves and tidal surges are already impacting communities globally. For Pacific island countries these natural hazards and rising of the sea level pose serious challenges. Participants at the workshop examined the widespread socio-political, cultural and economic impact of climate change for Pacific Island countries, with specific focus on social and economic sectors, and on fragile coastal zones. This included case studies relating to the sea level rise and relocation of Carteret Islanders in Papua New Guinea, and climate change and floods in urban Fiji.
Sea level and temperature increases (sea level: 15 cm from 1980-1990; temperature: 0.5° C from 1980-1990) have been experienced across the Pacific, and there is some evidence suggesting an increase in severity and frequency of tropical storms. Communities in the Pacific have already responded by moving – indeed some island people are relocating, and some coastal village communities are moving inland to higher ground.
Participating in the workshop were representatives from key Pacific regional institutions and postgraduate students from the University of the South Pacific, University of Auckland, University of Waikato, University of Papua New Guinea, The Pacific Island Forum Secretariat and the UNDP Pacific Center.
The outcome of the event will feed into a forthcoming scholarly work which will examine the impact of climate change on migration and movements of the population worldwide.
Contacts:
Paul de Guchteneire
Chief International Migration Section
UNESCO
1, rue Miollis 75732 Paris, France
Tel: +33 145683850
Fax: +33 145685724
Email: p.deguchteneire@unesco.org
APMRN Secretariat Director:
Professor Vijay Naidu
Director Development Studies
School of Governance and Development Studies, Faculty of Business and Economics, University of the South Pacific, Private Bag,Suva, Fiji
Email: naidu_v@usp.ac.fj
APMRN coordinator:
apmrn@usp.ac.fj
Related Links
|
|
|
| Author(s) |
UNESCO |
| Publication Date |
25-05-2009 |
| Source |
UNESCO |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Email this page  Printable version
|
|
|
|
