To articulate its work through networks is one of the principles that guides the programs and actions of the CSEM Strategic Planning (2020-2024). Aiming to fulfill the objectives of fostering, producing, and disseminating scientific and interdisciplinary knowledge about migration and refuge, from the prophetic promotion of human dignity and the protagonism of migrants and refugees. This principle guides our work in a transversal way, whilst being one of the aspects that orientates the strategic objectives of CSEM. Hence, this is also part of CSEM’s internationalization efforts.
Despite the difficulties attributed to the COVID-19 crisis, the mobilization of networking and partnerships with other institutions has configured learning spaces that benefit all actors involved in the process. This has been CSEM’s experience in integrating and mobilizing the promotion of the Migration and Social Transformation network in partnership with the MA Program “International Social Work with Migrants and Refugees” at the University of Applied Sciences Würzburg-Schweinfurt (FHWS) in Germany. The institutions that make up this network have an academic profile and focus on the realities in which they operate in Africa (Nigeria, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Uganda, and Ethiopia); Europe (Germany, Greece, Italy, Ireland) and Latin America (Argentina, Brazil, Mexico).
Last June, CSEM participated in two virtual workshops organized by the German Network for Forced Migration Studies (NWFF) in cooperation with the project “Forced Migration and Refugee Studies: Networking and Knowledge Transfer” (FFVT).
In the first one, CSEM had the opportunity to present the Migration and Social Transformation network. The highlighted activities were the realization of the Summer Schools, which in the first half of 2021 took place online, and the organization of a publication under preparation on the perspectives of participatory action research as a methodology for network activities. This publication is being organized by the University of Applied Sciences of Würzburg-Schweinfurt (FHWS), the CSEM, the Research Group on Ethnographic Studies of the Universidad Nacional de la Plata (Argentina) and the Working Group of the “Consejo Latinoamericano de Ciencias Sociales e Grupo de Estudios del Desarollo” of the Universidad Autónoma de Zacatecas (Mexico). The European and African partners are also engaged in this activity.
The second Workshop held on June 22nd brought together several networks that work in the field of forced migrations. In this activity, CSEM presented some of the challenges that networking brings, in the sense of articulating the research work, considering the experience of the Migration and Social Transformation network.