Resident Coordinator's speech: Borders and Belonging in a Globalised World

Yang Amat Mulia Tunku Zain Al-’Abidin ibni Tuanku Muhriz, Founding President of IDEAS

Dr Renato Lima-de-Oliviera, Associate Dean of Student Journey, Associate Professor, Asia School of Business

Distinguished faculty members, students, colleagues and friends, 

Ladies and Gentlemen,

It is a privilege to be with you today. Please allow me to begin by expressing my deep appreciation to IDEAS for organizing today’s conference and for selecting such a timely and important topic. 

I am confident this gathering will spark meaningful exchanges and encourage us to reflect on, and hopefully shift, the narrative around an issue that is of immense global significance and particular relevance in Malaysia.

As we gather here today to discuss 'Borders and Belonging in a Globalized World,' we stand at a critical juncture in history. 

We are living in an era where human mobility is redefining borders and challenging old ideas of belonging. Millions are on the move—seeking safety, opportunity, and a dignified life.

This is the undeniable reality of our interconnected world. Yet, in the face of unprecedented population movements, the dominant narrative surrounding human mobility is too often rooted in fear and fuels division and exclusion.

My message today is that we must work together to transform this narrative, replacing fear with empathy, replacing ignorance with knowledge, and adopting a rights-based approach that upholds the dignity and worth of every person on the move, irrespective of what drives their decision to move or leaves them with no other choice.

I rarely do this in my communications, but today I would like to start by sharing a bit of my personal story as a citizen of a world where belonging transcends borders. 

I am, by definition, a migrant. 

My country of origin is Morocco, and while I remain deeply connected to my roots, my family, and the land I come from, the question of 'where home is' has become far more complex. Home is Morocco, but it is also Lebanon, and more broadly, the Middle East, where I lived and worked for many years, creating new roots and connections. 

Currently, home is Malaysia, and with each move, my sense of belonging expands, adapting and growing as I settle in new places. For me, belonging is not set or felt within a frontier—it's a journey shaped by the people, experiences, and communities I've encountered along the way. 

My story isn’t unique. I am fortunate to be an orderly, regular migrant, moving safely. 

But for many, crossing borders is filled with uncertainty, danger, and threats, as they flee conflict or hardship. 

Those are the “others who don’t belong”, those feared, hated, rejected, abused, discriminated against, smuggled, trafficked, detained. Countless men, women, boys and girls who are denied work, education, livelihood opportunities, often because they are perceived as a threat. 

Fear is a complex human emotion that arises from a perceived threat or danger, whether real or imagined. 

Fear can be seen as a protective mechanism that alerts us to potential harm and motivates us to take action. Fear can be a powerful motivator, driving us to seek safety and security. However, it can also be a source of anxiety, limiting our ability to think rationally.

When we don't know or fully understand the experiences and struggles of those who migrate or are displaced, it becomes easier to view them with suspicion rather than empathy. 

This often grows to become the “general sentiment,” a mindset which transcends the individual and community and permeates broader society, ultimately shaping and influencing the policy decisions that governments make.

A number of myths persist around migrants, refugees, stateless and undocumented persons, and others --and I will give a brief legal definition of each shortly. These myths have created an environment of misinformation, leading to xenophobia, hate speech, and exclusionary behavior. 

“Most migration is irregular”

“Refugees are a burden on host countries”

“Migrants and refugees take jobs from locals”

“Migration increases crime rates”

“Migration can be stopped”

These are examples of the fallacies that have been debunked through definitions, evidence, data, and common sense. Yet confusion remains, and much remains to be done in terms of raising awareness and deconstructing negative perceptions.

Under this category often labelled “the others who don’t belong”, a few definitions are necessary. I will then share the latest data on a few slides.

An international migrant is someone who, usually voluntarily, crosses international borders, either temporarily or permanently, and may or may not have legal authorization to reside in the destination country. 

A regular migrant is someone who moves to another country with proper legal authorization, such as a valid visa, work permit, or residency permit, in accordance with the immigration laws of that country. 

An irregular migrant is a person who enters or stays in a country without the legal authorization required by immigration laws. This can happen if they enter the country without proper documents, overstay a visa, or violate the conditions of their stay.

An asylum seeker is a person who has fled their home country and is seeking protection in another country. Once an asylum seeker's claim to refugee status is accepted, they are entitled to certain rights and protections under international law. 

A refugee is a person who, owing to well-founded fear of persecution for reasons of race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group or political opinion, is outside the country of his nationality and is unable or unwilling to avail himself of the protection of that country

An Internally Displaced Person (IDP) is someone who is forced to flee their home due to conflict, violence, natural disasters, or other crises, but remains within the borders of their own country.

A stateless person is not recognized as a citizen by any country. This means they lack nationality, leaving them without legal protection or access to basic rights such as education, healthcare, employment, and the ability to travel.

An undocumented person refers to an individual who is residing in a country without the necessary authorization or legal documentation required by law. This typically means the absence of a lawful status ranging from legal identity to visas, work permits, or residency documents, that would allow them to remain in the country legally.

An individual can fall under more than one category, and this is also something we need to keep in mind. For example a migrant can become refugees if circumstances change, or an asylum seeker can also be stateless.

With some of these terms now clearer in our minds, I would like to quickly share with you some of the latest data from UNHCR and IOM.

Let me conclude with five messages:

First,

Human mobility is often misunderstood as something we can fully control or stop, but in reality, it is as old as humanity itself—a natural response to changing circumstances.

The myth that we can simply erect walls or barbed wires to shut down or control migration ignores its deep-rooted role in human history. 

Whether through the movement of ancestors, the blending of cultures, or the global exchange of ideas and people, migration has shaped and will continue to shape who we are as individuals and as societies.

Second,

We must recognize that human mobility is not an anomaly, but a defining feature of our globalized world. 

Adopting a rights-based approach is no longer just an option—it is a necessity. 

Upholding the dignity and rights of all people on the move is the foundation for a future where migration is seen as a force for good, for connection, and for shared humanity. 

Third, 

Refugees and migrants are not the same,

Refugees are individuals who flee their home countries due to persecution, conflict, violence, or climate change, seeking safety and protection in another country. They are legally recognized under international law and have specific rights. In contrast, migrants move voluntarily for various reasons, such as work, education, or family reunification. 

While both may face challenges in their journeys, understanding this difference is crucial for developing appropriate policies and responses to their needs.

Fourth

The 1951 Refugee Convention and its 1967 Protocol are the key legal documents that form the basis of UNHCR’s work. They define the term ‘refugee’ and outline refugees’ rights and States’ legal obligations to protect them.

The core principle is non-refoulement, which asserts that refugees should not be returned to a country where they face serious threats to their life or freedom. 

There are 149 State parties to either or both. Malaysia is not a party to either.

While the Convention and its Protocol is a key instrument for protecting displaced populations, non-ratification by certain countries does not absolve them of their duty to protect refugees. 

Seeking asylum is not a crime and detention is neither effective nor lawful as a means to deter refugees from seeking asylum.

Fifth and finally

In a globalized world, the concept of borders has taken on new significance. Population movements, both voluntary and forcible, challenge traditional notions of belonging and raise critical questions about identity, citizenship, and human rights.

Borders may delineate nations, but they should not define our humanity. We must uphold the principles of empathy, solidarity, and protection, and deliver on our collective commitment to protecting the rights and dignity of all individuals.

Thank you.