HEUNI Scholarship: Apply to participate in a seminar on the exploitation of undocumented migrants in Helsinki, 12-13 April 2018
The European Institute for Crime Prevention and Control, affiliated with the UN (HEUNI) and the Scandinavian Research Council for Criminology (NSfK) invite participants to a seminar on the exploitation of undocumented migrants in Europe with a focus on the Nordic Countries. The seminar takes place in Helsinki on 12-13 April, 2018. The travel costs of participants will be covered by the organizers.
Research reveals that many migrants, especially undocumented ones, form a vulnerable group easily exploited in the labour market or even at risk of ending up in situations of trafficking and forced labour. The number of undocumented migrants has increased in Europe, in particular in the Nordic countries, as a result of the increase in negative asylum-decision resulting from the influx of migrants in 2015. Undocumented migrants may be willing to perform any work on any terms, and are therefore very vulnerable to exploitation. Undocumented migrants or migrants with an irregular status may also be the targets of other forms of violence or discrimination, but rarely report their experiences due to language barriers, lack of trust in the police or for fear of losing their immigration status or being deported.
This seminar brings together researchers and practitioners to discuss and share knowledge on the exploitation of undocumented migrants. The seminar will provide an opportunity for dialogue on current knowledge of the situation, and on possible solutions. The seminar focuses on European countries, with a specific emphasis on the Nordic countries. Although the focus is on labour exploitation, the seminar also aims to discuss other forms of exploitation and discrimination, such as sexual exploitation, forced criminality, forced marriage, violence, hate crime, and overall marginalization.
The seminar is organized by NSfK in collaboration with HEUNI. NSfK will invite Nordic participants to the seminar, while HEUNI invites participants from other European countries.
Participants: Travel and accommodation costs, and a small daily subsistence allowance, will be paid to the selected scholars. HEUNI will cover the costs of participation for emerging scholars from European countries (paid by HEUNI scholarship grants) while NSfK will cover the costs of Nordic participants (labour inspectors, trade unions, police, researchers).
Requirements: If you are a researcher or practitioner based in Europe, with recent or on-going research or practical expertise on the issue of exploitation of undocumented migrants. Early career researchers/practitioners will be favored.
How to apply: Send a one-page summary of your research/expertise on the topic, including a rationale for why you want to participate in this expert meeting as well as your CV to Ms. Aili Pääkkönen (aili.paakkonen(at)om.fi) by 17 December 2017.
