This Nansen Initiative Consultation on Disasters, Climate Change and Displacement, titled 'Regional Dynamics of Human Mobility in West Africa,' will discuss the regional dynamics of human mobility related to those disasters linked to natural hazards and climate change impacts in West Africa, particularly key challenges faced regarding migration, displacement and planned relocation. The event will also address the potential for cooperative measures to help protect displaced populations and migrants, and inform regional policymakers in West Africa and other interested stakeholders about the Nansen Initiative, which is led by the Governments of Switzerland and Norway. Participants will discuss topics related to: protection needs and challenges for displaced persons and migrants in the context of disasters and climate change in West Africa; specific challenges for those displaced across international borders; challenges linked to those migrants who need to adapt to urban environments; the role of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) as a platform for regional cooperation; and the position of West African countries in the UNFCCC negotiations. The Nansen Initiative is a State-led consultative process intended to build consensus on developing an agenda that addresses the needs of people displaced across international borders by natural disasters, including those linked to the impacts of climate change.  

date: 4 June 2014     13:00-17:00   location: Bonn, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany   contact: Nansen Initiative   e-mail: info@nanseninitiative.org   www: http://www.nanseninitiative.org/disasters-climate-change-and-displacement-regional-dynamics-human-mobility-west-africa