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This special issue will focus on the experiences of refugees and displaced people across a diverse set of ethnicities, countries, and circumstances. The growing number of refugees and displaced people and the work and life difficulties they face is a central social issue in the world today. This special issue will explore how refugees and displaced people can be fully integrated, engaged, utilized, actualized, and affirmed into the workplace and society. This special issue is calling for submissions which present research on the experiences of refugees and displaced people, a growing, but under researched segment of the world's population.
Little is known about the career experiences of refugees and displaced people and the ways that organizations, leaders, and policy makers can assist them in finding work, maintaining employment, and positive life outcomes. Statistics from the United Nations Refugee Agency on the number of refugees and displaced people are staggering. The UNHCR (2016) estimates the number of refugees worldwide at 21.3 million. Over 50% of refugees come from three countries: Somalia, Afghanistan, and Syria, with the number of Syrian refugees estimated at just under 5 million. Since the Syrian civil war began in March of 2011, more than 6.3 million Syrians have fled the country. According to Mercy Corps, there are approximately 68 million displaced people around the world with approximately two thirds of these coming from the five countries: Syria, Afghanistan, South Sudan, Myanmar, and Somalia. In addition, according to figures from the United Nations, approximately 2.3 million Venezuelans have fled their country in the last two years due to severe economic problems resulting in starvation and health problems.
Ager and Strang's (2008) framework of integration indicates that employment is extremely important for refugee integration since it influences many other issues such as self-esteem, self-reliance, economic independence and planning for the future. This suggests that research is necessary which examines the myriad issues faced by refugees and the programs designed to help them gain job skills and find employment. Questions of interest for this special issue include, but are not limited to: What special work-related challenges are displaced people facing? How do displaced people experience and manage their careers? How can organizations improve the career, work, and life outcomes for refugees and displaced people? What kinds of educational and training programs may prove efficacious in improving career and life outcomes for these individuals?
We would appreciate the opportunity to consider your work for inclusion in this special issue. We hope that this special issue will increase our understanding of this humanitarian crisis and result in positive outcomes for refugees and displaced people. If you are interested in having your work considered for inclusion in this special issue, please send a 250 words abstract of your work tocadernosebape@fgv.br and ssegrest@mail.usf.edu by August 30, 2019 with the subject: 'CFP Refugees/Displaced People in the Workplace'. | |
| | Expected timeline:
August 30, 2019: Abstracts due to cadernosebape@fgv.br and ssegrest@mail.usf.edu
September 30, 2019: Abstracts selection completed and notifications made
January 20, 2020: Full paper due
1st and 2nd semesters, 2020: Papers revision between the reviewers and authors
December, 2020 or until 1st semester of 2021: Publications
*Please note that these dates may be subject to change. | |