The persecution of the Rohingya population - Myanmar’s Muslim minority - has emerged as a grave injustice in the context of the global refugee crisis. In 2017, over 773,000 Rohingya, including approximately 400,000 children, fled to the Cox’s Bazar district of Bangladesh. This paper examines the facilitators and key barriers to the education of refugee children with disabilities and the major areas of intervention that stakeholders undertake to enhance their educational access. Ten Rohingya camps were selected for the study, which included four focus group discussions with 10 parents and 10 teachers, and a survey of 100 children with disabilities using a printed questionnaire. A non-probability purposive sampling technique was employed. The findings reveal that donor-driven support, policy prioritization for children with disabilities, trained teachers, and the presence of joyful learning centers operated by implementing non-governmental organizations serve as major educational facilitators. Conversely, the study identifies significant barriers such as inadequate facilities such as ramps and toilets, a lack of assistive devices, limited access to sports and recreation, underdeveloped referral pathways, insufficient home-based learning opportunities, and a scarcity of special education materials. Finally, the article offers a set of recommendations and highlights key stakeholders to ensure the right to education for these marginalized children.

Migration is a complex global phenomenon with profound socioeconomic, political, and humanitarian implications. Effective migration data management is essential for evidence-based policymaking, efficient resource allocation, and the protection of migrant rights. However, several challenges — such as data fragmentation, privacy concerns, rapidly evolving migration patterns, technological limitations, and policy inconsistencies — hinder the comprehensive use of migration data. At the same time, emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI) and big data analytics, offer transformative opportunities to enhance migration governance. Initiatives such as the Big Data for Migration Alliance (BD4M) exemplify how collaborative, data-driven approaches can improve migration management and lead to better outcomes for migrants. This paper seeks to explore both the challenges and opportunities associated with migration data management, with a particular focus on the role of innovative technologies in advancing migration research and policymaking. The analysis revealed that, with significant barriers exist, such as fragmentation, privacy concerns, dynamic patterns, technological constraints, and misaligned policies, there are also substantial opportunities for enhanced collaboration, informed policymaking, efficient resource allocation, research advancements, and increased public engagement. Furthermore, the author highlights AI and the BD4M as key components of a leading collaborative effort to leverage advanced analytics for a deeper understanding and more effective management of global migration. By analyzing diverse datasets through innovative analytical techniques, such initiatives aim to improve outcomes for migrant populations worldwide.

The gender gap in self-reported work limitations among individuals aged 50 - 70 has persisted over time and across countries. We investigate whether this gap reflects actual differences in work limitations or variations in reporting styles between genders. Using the anchoring vignettes approach and leveraging vignette survey data from the United States and Europe, we examine how men and women assess the severity of identical work limitations related to pain, cardiovascular health, and depression. Our findings show that men tend to classify identical work limitations as more severe than women. This gender difference in reporting styles is consistent across both the U.S. and Europe and throughout the time periods studied. Once we account for these reporting differences, the gender gap in self-reported work limitations narrows or diminishes. These results have broad implications for research on self-reported work disability and highlight the need for caution when using self-reported measures to assess disability patterns and trends.

Immigrants in Canada are increasingly moving into non-metropolitan communities (smaller cities). Non-metropolitan communities are unique contexts of settlement due to a fabric of difference in the physical and social landscape in comparison to larger, multicultural cities that are renowned for immigration and diversity. Policies and immigration pathway programs in Canada are deliberate about promoting non-metropolitan communities as places for immigrant settlement due to the necessity of addressing demographic challenges, such as an aging or declining population. However, less is known about the experiences of settlement in a smaller city from the perspective of immigrants living in the community. This study explored the community-based perspectives about multicultural diversity and the reasons for migration to a non-metropolitan community in Canada. It involved interviews with immigrants from multicultural backgrounds, municipal officials, and a key informant on immigrant settlement and integration. The findings of this study indicated that economic and family-related factors were the primary reasons for migration to and settlement in a non-metropolitan community. This paper contributes to the literature on population and demographic change by emphasizing the importance of understanding place satisfaction from the perspective of diversity in the community as an approach to addressing demographic challenges in non-metropolitan communities.

Urban shrinkage has become a global challenge in the field of urban studies. Despite significant progress in understanding urban shrinkage in developed countries, further exploration is necessary to comprehend the recent emergence of urban shrinkage in developing countries. This study explores the spatial pattern of urban shrinkage and urban decline and examines the associated factors of population decline in Indian urban centers. The phenomenon of urban decline in India presents a paradox as the country witnesses a steady growth in urbanization, yet some urban centers are facing a decline in population. Results showed that every one in nine urban centers was declining, with one-fifth of them shrinking in terms of population. The urban growth rate and level of urbanization are major contributing factors to this decline, along with city-level characteristics such as small population size, low population density, low fertility, and a higher aging population. To address this rising threat, urban policymakers in India must plan for the growth and development of declining and shrinking cities through revitalization programs, capital investment, infrastructure development, and micro-regional planning. Further, encouraging inclusive development for small and larger cities can help achieve sustainable urban development in India.

With the rise of global migration, an increasing number of women are seeking autonomy and opportunity through movement; however, many face systemic barriers and gendered risks both during their journeys and in host countries. This article examines the structural vulnerabilities faced by migrant women by tracing the life story of Aye, a Burmese refugee who resettled in the United States (U.S.). Her migration journey reflects broader gendered dynamics in global migration. Drawing on narrative inquiry, this study highlights how exclusion from healthcare, education, employment, and legal protections shapes women’s migration experiences. It traces how Aye, despite encountering compounded constraints across migration to Malaysia and the U.S., continuously negotiated access to essential resources through self-agency. Her narrative reveals the persistence of gendered expectations within both public systems and family life, even after resettlement. The article underscores the importance of equitable access to education, work, and self-development opportunities for migrant women’s survival and autonomy. This study calls for a more grounded and policy-relevant understanding of refugee integration, one that recognizes equitable access as both a lived necessity and a transformative right for migrant women.

Inclusive public spaces are essential for fostering community engagement, social interaction, and equitable access, yet women and girls often encounter challenges such as safety concerns and limited amenities that restrict their participation. This study introduces the HopeScape model—a framework developed through a mixed-methods approach that integrates insights from international case studies (Vienna and Tunis) and local examples (Durban Beachfront, People’s Park, and the Watershed at the V&A Waterfront). Key indicators, including accessibility, safety, identity, and multifunctionality, were identified to help address these challenges. The findings highlight significant gaps in South African public spaces, particularly regarding safety and inclusivity for women and girls. By synthesizing global best practices with local insights, the HopeScape model offers actionable strategies for creating safe, accessible, and inclusive public spaces, contributing to equitable urban development.

Most conventional perspectives depict internal migration as a straightforward process, starting in rural areas and culminating in urban centers. This study, utilizing data from the Indonesian Family Life Survey (IFLS), aims to explore alternative migration patterns in Indonesia beyond the traditional rural-urban migration. Analyzing five waves of IFLS data, this research employed sequence analysis and multinomial logistic regression, revealing a nuanced picture of internal migration in Indonesia. The results reveal that, contrary to the one-step rural-urban migration narrative, individuals in Indonesia often undergo multiple rural or urban migrations, influenced by factors such as gender, education, age, and migration motives. These findings underscore the complexity of internal migration patterns in Indonesia, challenging the conventional rural-urban migration model.

In the context of mass displacement caused by war and other crises, the integration of refugees has become a critical task for host countries. This study examines nine recipient countries, with a detailed focus on Poland, Germany, and the Czech Republic, chosen for their geographical proximity to Ukraine and their differing levels of social support and integration programs. Effective social support measures are essential for fostering an inclusive society and achieving sustainable socioeconomic development. The study aims to classify host countries based on their integration efforts and identify key indicators influencing refugee integration, such as access to social services, employment rate, language proficiency, and participation in integration programs. Using hierarchical clustering (Joining Tree method) and K-means cluster analysis, the study groups countries based on similarities in their integration policies and outcomes. Statistical data collected over 3 years (2022 - 2024) were analyzed to highlight patterns and relationships among integration indicators. Germany, characterized by advanced social support - €357 in social assistance on average per person per month and 85% access to integration programs - formed a distinct cluster with Great Britain, reflecting a high level of integration effort. Poland and the Czech Republic, grouped in a separate cluster, demonstrated moderate but improving integration policies. The findings highlight the multifaceted nature of refugee integration, where access to services and employment opportunities play foundational roles, while language proficiency and social participation ensure long-term inclusion. This study confirms the importance of well-developed social support systems in facilitating refugee integration and offers evidence-based insights for improving integration policies. The findings contribute to ongoing migration policy debates, providing practical recommendations for fostering inclusive and sustainable societies.

Urban poverty in Malaysia remains a critical challenge that demands comprehensive and inclusive solutions. This study proposes a responsive urban poverty framework, classifying individuals into two main groups: the working age group (20 - 59 years) and the post-working age group (60 years and above). Drawing on data from 334 heads of households (HoHs) in the B40 income group residing in the people’s housing project in Kerinchi, Kuala Lumpur, the study evaluates strategies to enhance the well-being and competitiveness of the urban poor. A quantitative approach was employed, with data collected through structured questionnaires and analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences software. Findings indicate an average monthly income of RM 2,589 among B40 HoHs, with marked improvements in well-being for those adopting targeted intervention strategies. The proposed framework incorporates targeted and actionable measures to increase household income and resilience in both short and long-term scenarios. This study underscores the importance of understanding the multifaceted dimensions of urban poverty, implementing effective strategies, and developing practical frameworks to improve economic stability and quality of life of urban B40 households. The findings provide valuable guidance for policymakers, urban planners, and social development stakeholders in formulating strategies that address the economic challenges faced by B40 households in urban Malaysia.