Overview
A panel of experts will explore Central Asia as a case study of labour migration, often shaped by climate-related pressures, and the intersection with potential risks of extremist influence and radicalisation. Cultural shocks, economic marginalisation and limited language skills can impede migrants’ adaptation and integration with the adopted societies. This can create openings for extremist narratives and radicalisation.
Speakers
The discussion will build on research conducted by Dr. Antonio Giustozzi and funded by the Multinational Development Policy Dialogue (MDPD) of the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (KAS) which examined the interplay between environmental stress, labour migration, and vulnerabilities to radicalisation among Tajik labour migrants.
Dr Noah Tucker brings expertise on Central Asian migration within broader regional dynamics. His contribution will explore how evolving relationships to land and natural resources contribute to mobilisation to extremist groups across the region.
Dr Joana de Deus Pereira will relate her experiences engaging with Central Asian governments through her multi-year delivery of training funded by the European Commission on Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism in the region, including considerations for pre-departure preparation of labour migrants.
Malika Abdulbakieva brings valuable insight from conducting fieldwork on behalf of the OSCE, US Department of State, and USAID, on the topics of radicalisation (or lack thereof in some cases) among national minorities in Kyrgyzstan, and on labour migration in the region. In addition, her PhD investigates the securitisation of Salafism in Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan.
Key findings and policy recommendations from this panel will provide valuable insights for those working on migration, climate security, and preventing and countering violent extremism.
This open to all event will be held in person and online. Attribution will follow the RUSI rule, whereby all speeches and prepared remarks are ‘on the record’, while comments made in response to questions are neither attributable to the individual, nor to the event.
AGENDA
10:00 – 10:05 Welcome and Introductions
10:05 – 10:35 Panel Discussion on Migration and Vulnerability: Insights from Central Asia
Chair: Dr. Jessica White, Acting Director, Terrorism and Conflict Studies, RUSI
- Dr Antonio Giustozzi, Senior Research Fellow, Terrorism & Conflict Studies, RUSI
- Dr Noah Tucker, RUSI Associate Fellow, Research Fellow, School of International Relations at the University of St Andrews
- Dr Joana de Deus Pereira, Senior Research Fellow, RUSI Europe
- Malika Abdulbakieva, Researcher and Graduate Teaching Assistant, University of Glasgow
10:35 – 10:55 Q&A Session
Moderator: Dr Jessica White, Acting Director, Terrorism and Conflict Studies, RUSI
10:55 – 11:00 Closing Remarks
11:00 – 11:30 Informal Networking & Refreshment
Joining Instructions
This event is hybrid and open to all. If you have any questions regarding this event, please email [email protected]. On registering to attend, you will be sent a confirmation email containing your personal joining details for in person or online.
