International Conference "Diasporic and Migrant Identities: Social, Cultural, Political, Religious and Spiritual Aspects"

Sarajevo, 23rd and 24th April 2015

Economic, political and forced migration has been present for quite some time in the reality of Balkan Muslims. Wherever they went, they carried the experience of their lives lived at the crossroad of different worlds. Ever since 1960`s, the economic and political migration of Bosniaks has been directed towards Western countries, especially the European ones. Even more so after the signing of framework agreements allowing Yugoslav workers to find temporary jobs in Austria, Germany, Switzerland, and Scandinavian countries, but also North America and Australia. During 1990`s the horrors of war in B&H resulted in forced migrations of Bosnian and Herzegovinian population. So far the focus has been more on economic and political dimensions of migrant experience and life, and less so on the social, cultural and religious dimensions.

Under the auspices of the Grand mufti of BiH Husein Kavazović this conference aims at opening up the floor for dialogue about diasporic and migrant identities and also establish a network of relevant scholars and researchers working on these issues.

We are hoping to offer an opportunity for exchange and discussion of ideas, theoretical and empirical findings, as well as methodological approaches focusing on diasporic communities of Bosniaks, Balkan Muslims, but also other communities whose work and experience could be compared to them.

Our partners are Directorate for Turks abroad and related communities, Konrad Adenauer Foundation and International University of Sarajevo (IUS).

The conference will host a workshop “Methodology of Migration Research” (3 hrs) led by dr. Selma Porobić, director of the Centre for Refugee and IDP Studies (CESI) of the Faculty of Political Sciences, University of Sarajevo.

During the conference, there will be an exhibition space where the conference participants can present their work, activity or research in the form of flyers, brochures, posters, presentations, etc.

You can apply for participation at the conference without paper presentation (with accompanying activities) HERE.

Also please find attached:

Draft agenda of the conference