IASFM20 Opening Ceremony with the Stakeholders
From January 21-23, 2025, the Resilience Development Initiative (RDI) team, consisting of Eri Krismiyaningsih, Rufaida Nurul Vicri, Abimanyu Arya, Ulima Nabila Adinta, Nadira Alyssa, and Fahmi Akbar, together with RDI UREF organized 20th International Association for the Study of Forced Migration Conference (IASFM20) in Yogyakarta. This biennial conference was hosted by the RDI Urban Refugee Research Group (RDI UREF) in collaboration with the Department of Anthropology, Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM). IASFM20 focused on the theme "Forced Displacement in an Urbanising World."
This conference brings together researchers, practitioners, and individuals with lived forced migration experiences to exchange knowledge and experience in the context of international forced displacement and urban management. It features plenary sessions, thematic discussions, and special sessions focusing on global migration agendas, urban displacement, and regional approaches, particularly in the Asia-Pacific region.
In addition, this conference aimed to highlight spaces that are co-creating knowledge production through research led by refugees, displaced persons, and migrants in urban setting contexts; spaces making for all types of displacement; collaboration between host society and refugees, displaced peoples, and migrants; protection practices beyond the scope of existing legal frameworks; and multifaceted transformations in cities.
RDI Delegations on IASFM20
The IASFM20 opening ceremony took place on January 21, 2025, at Grha Sabha Pramana, UGM. The event was opened by UGM Rector, Prof. Ova Emilia, followed by remarks from Dr Elisabeth Rianawati (Director of RDI), Dr Veronica Finn Bruey (President of IASFM), Dr Akino Tahir (IASFM20 Chair), and Dr. Realisa Masardi (IASFM20 Co-chair).
The opening speakers expressed their hope that IASFM20 would serve as a platform for researchers, policymakers, practitioners, and individuals focused on forced displacement and urban management, strengthening knowledge and commitment among stakeholders to address displacement challenges. The event continued with a keynote speech, plenary sessions, and parallel sessions over the three days of the conference
Participants Discussion During Sharing Session on Interactive Workshop
At IASFM20, RDI had the opportunity to host an interactive workshop as part of one of the parallel sessions. This workshop explored the connections between slow-onset climate change and migration, with a focus on socioeconomic and gender-specific impacts. Through expert talks, a Bingo game, and strategy sessions, participants identified challenges, shared insights, and developed solutions to enhance resilience and adaptive social protection.
The esteemed guests at RDI's welcoming dinner.
One of the side events of IASFM20 was the welcoming dinner hosted by RDI. This event served as a platform for networking and fostering connections among experts. It also provided an opportunity for RDI to introduce itself and strengthen collaborations, particularly on issues of forced displacement and humanitarian efforts.
The IASFM20 Conference has been an invaluable platform for gaining insights and fostering connections that strongly align with RDI’s focus on climate and disaster displacement, adaptive social protection, and inclusive resilience strategies. The discussions on gender, youth, and other marginalized groups have provided fresh perspectives on the complexities of forced migration, emphasizing the need for more equitable and sustainable solutions. These takeaways not only reinforce RDI’s ongoing initiatives but also contribute to shaping the future direction of RDI’s commitment in resilience-building efforts locally and globally.
