The region of Southern Africa is characterised by high population mobility, with an increasing number of migrants moving between countries.  Identity politics and exclusionary practices have continued to threaten peace and inclusive development.  Programmes that help the region deal with challenges of xenophobia and other forms of discrimination thus make up one of UNESCO’s priority areas of intervention.

The programme of action in the region includes projects on policy research and knowledge production, the strengthening of capacities on research-policy linkages, interventions around the rights of persons living with disabilities, participatory youth policies, and the development of interventions related to migration.