Presentation and panel discussion of findings on Migration and Climate Change based on an Action Research conducted in Bangladesh.

Changing climate patterns have an impact on the migration dynamics, which is forcing local communities and their livelihoods to constantly adapt to and cope with new situations. To come to a better understanding, HELVETAS Swiss Intercooperation with its local partner Ovibashi Karmi Unnayan Program (OKUP) conducted an Action Research in the southwest coastal belt in Bangladesh. The results of this in-depth action research provide insights into the interlinkages of migration and climate change as well as individual struggles of women and men living in this disaster-prone area. The event discusses the findings of the action research, presents the current discourse on migration and climate change, and aims to stimulate a debate on responses at country, region and the global level.

“ Villagers were not rich, but they had enough to live, Riazul remembers. There were plenty of fish in the wetlands; we could catch enough within 10 or 15 minutes of casting our nets. Nowadays, we rarely catch any fish. We also used to have plenty of coconut trees, and could grow many vegetables on our lands. Now, all of our village’s farmlands are either inundated, or have turned saline and barren. An easier past is just a distant memory. ”

Keynote

• Heather McGray, Director Climate Justice Resilience Fund
• Rupa Mukerji, Helvetas, Director Advisory Services / Senior Advisor Adaptation to Climate Change

Speakers

• Prof. Dr. Vally Koubi, Center for Comparative and International Studies (CIS), ETH Zurich
• Shakirul Islam Migrant Activist, Researcher and Chairperson of OKUP, Co-Author
• Lorenzo Guadagno, Liaison, Migration, Environment and Climate Change at IOM
• Esther Marthaler, Senior Advisor Migration and Development, Co-Author
• Ashish Barua, Project Manager Panii Jibon

Moderated by Nicole Clot, Senior Advisor Adaptation to Climate Change, Co-Author