On 4 December 2008, ODI, the BBC World Service Trust, and the Humanitarian Practice Network (HPN) will host "Left in the Dark: The Unmet Need for Information in Humanitarian Response." Speakers will discuss the power of information to save lives during disasters and how the humanitarian community can better address the information needs of affected populations.
A BBC World Service Trust policy brief will also be officially launched. Here's a summary and here's the text.
Related resources:
- After Disaster: Information for Life (Oct. 2008) [text]
- Communicating Disasters: An Asia Pacific Resource Book (Dec. 2007) [text]
- The Right to Know: The Challenge of Public Informaton and Accountability in Aceh and Sri Lanka (Oct. 2006) [text]
- World Disasters Report 2005: Focus on Information in Disasters [summaries]
Posted in Events and Publications.
A service highlighting open access reports & scholarly materials relating to refugees, asylum-seekers, internally displaced persons (IDPs), and other forced migrants; provided by Elisa Mason
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29 November 2008
New Issue of IJRL
It never fails, as soon as I post a listing of the latest journal issues, then another one pops up! This time it's IJRL:
International Journal of Refugee Law, vol. 20, no. 4 (Dec. 2008) [contents]
- Includes articles on country guidance and asylum in the UK; the responsibility to protect; risk and fear in RSD; the application of the cessation clauses in Australia; and housing rights for asylum seekers in Ireland.
Additional resources relating to the "responsibility to protect" standard:
- The Responsibility to Protect: Report of the International Commission on Intervention and State Sovereignty (Dec. 2001) (available in all UN languages)
- The Responsibility to Protect: Research, Bibliography, Background: companion volume to the initial report; this web site provides access to the contents of this volume; "[t]he first part contains background research in the form of nine substantial research essays; the second part is a comprehensive new bibliography; and the third, about the Commission, contains background information on how the Commission functioned and summaries of the consultations held around the world during its year-long mandate."
- R@PCS web site: project of the Institute of Global Policy that "works to advance Responsibility to Protect (R2P) and to promote concrete policies to better enable governments, regional organizations and the U.N. to protect vulnerable populations."
Posted in Periodicals and Web Sites/Tools.
International Journal of Refugee Law, vol. 20, no. 4 (Dec. 2008) [contents]
- Includes articles on country guidance and asylum in the UK; the responsibility to protect; risk and fear in RSD; the application of the cessation clauses in Australia; and housing rights for asylum seekers in Ireland.
Additional resources relating to the "responsibility to protect" standard:
- The Responsibility to Protect: Report of the International Commission on Intervention and State Sovereignty (Dec. 2001) (available in all UN languages)
- The Responsibility to Protect: Research, Bibliography, Background: companion volume to the initial report; this web site provides access to the contents of this volume; "[t]he first part contains background research in the form of nine substantial research essays; the second part is a comprehensive new bibliography; and the third, about the Commission, contains background information on how the Commission functioned and summaries of the consultations held around the world during its year-long mandate."
- R@PCS web site: project of the Institute of Global Policy that "works to advance Responsibility to Protect (R2P) and to promote concrete policies to better enable governments, regional organizations and the U.N. to protect vulnerable populations."
Posted in Periodicals and Web Sites/Tools.
28 November 2008
New Issues of Citizen. Studies, FEX, Intl. Mig., JIRS, Mig. Letters, Torture
Citizenship Studies, vol. 12, no. 6 (2008) [contents]
- Special issue on "Europeanization and migration: challenging the values of citizenship in Europe?"
Field Exchange, no. 34 (Oct. 2008) [full-text]
- Focus is on infant and young child feeding in emergencies.
International Migration, vol. 46, no. 5 (Dec. 2008) [contents]
- Articles discuss health and disease in diasporas.
Journal of Immigrant and Refugee Studies, vol. 6, no. 4 (2008) [contents]
- Mix of articles including one on human trafficking into the U.S.
Migration Letters, vol. 5, no. 2 (Oct. 2008) [full-text]
- Mix of articles.
Torture Journal, vol. 18, no. 2 (2008) [full-text]
- Mix of articles including one on the health status of asylum-seekers in Denmark.
Posted in Periodicals.
- Special issue on "Europeanization and migration: challenging the values of citizenship in Europe?"
Field Exchange, no. 34 (Oct. 2008) [full-text]
- Focus is on infant and young child feeding in emergencies.
International Migration, vol. 46, no. 5 (Dec. 2008) [contents]
- Articles discuss health and disease in diasporas.
Journal of Immigrant and Refugee Studies, vol. 6, no. 4 (2008) [contents]
- Mix of articles including one on human trafficking into the U.S.
Migration Letters, vol. 5, no. 2 (Oct. 2008) [full-text]
- Mix of articles.
Torture Journal, vol. 18, no. 2 (2008) [full-text]
- Mix of articles including one on the health status of asylum-seekers in Denmark.
Posted in Periodicals.
26 November 2008
Spotlight on Kakuma
Final word on Kakuma?
by Jeff Crisp
26 Nov. 2008
by Jeff Crisp
26 Nov. 2008
Regular readers of the Forced Migration Current Awareness blog will have realized by now that of all the refugee camps in the world, Kakuma in north-west Kenya receives by far the most attention from researchers, journalists, diplomats and other visitors. How can we explain this phenomenon?
There would appear to be a number of answers.
First, while Kakuma (like many refugee camps) is to be found in a remote, isolated and somewhat dangerous location, Kenya itself is well connected to Europe and the USA and is the centre of East Africa's transportation network. In addition, Kakuma is a reasonably short flight (or a much longer but still manageable drive) from the capital city of Nairobi. It is thus more accessible than many other refugee camps in Africa.
Second, Kakuma is a relatively stable camp. Refugees have come and gone for many years, but the camp itself has remained, as have the many humanitarian organizations that work with the refugees (most of whom are Sudanese) accommodated there. Moreover, while the residents of Kakuma are undoubtedly confronted with many intense daily hardships, the camp is not without hope: the education and training programmes available in Kakuma, for example, are renowned throughout the region, while Kakuma's lively market attests to the fact that at least some of the refugees living there have access to cash and are able to purchase consumer goods. In this respect, Kakuma presents relatively few moral dilemmas for the foreign visitor, especially when compared to an IDP camp in Darfur or DRC.
Third, Kenya is an English-speaking country and a good proportion of the Sudanese (and other) refugees living there, as well as the local population, are able to converse in that language. This makes research and 'fact finding' considerably easier for expatriates. At the same time, Kakuma has an exotic tinge, derived from the very distinctive cultures of both the Sudanese sub-groups represented in the camp (Nuer, Dinka, etc.) as well the local Turkana population. Global interest in Kakuma has also been sparked and sustained by the arrival and subsequent resettlement of the 'lost boys' of Sudan, young refugees who came to the camp after a long and arduous journey from their homeland, many of them transiting through Ethiopia.
Finally, while refugee researchers sometimes complain about the fact that they are denied access to refugee camps by the authorities and/or UNHCR, that does not seem to be the case in relation to Kakuma. Dozens, hundreds, or perhaps even thousands of visitors have passed through the camp since it was established, and many of them have left a written record of their visit. No doubt they will continue to do so.
Publications: Asylum, Children/CAR & DRC, Climate Change, EU, Iraqi Refugees/EU, Palestinian Refugees/Iraq, Protracted Ref. Situations
"Asylum: A New Perspective," 9th Annual Harrell-Bond Lecture (RSC, Nov. 2008) [text]
Climate change, natural disasters and human displacement: a UNHCR perspective (UNHCR, Oct. 2008) [text]
- See also related web pages.
"The EU's failed asylum rules," International Herald Tribune, 20 Nov. 2008 [text]
From Fast Death to Slow Death: Palestinian Refugees from Iraq Trapped on the Syria-Iraq Border. Summary Report of an International NGO Delegation (Refugees International, Nov. 2008) [text]
Protracted Refugee Situations: A discussion paper prepared for the High Commissioner’s Dialogue on Protection Challenges, UNHCR/DPC/2008/Doc. 02 (UNHCR, Nov. 2008) [text]
- See also provisional agenda for upcoming HC Dialogue.
Report of the Secretary-General on children and armed conflict in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, S/2008/693 (UN, Nov. 2008) [access via UN Pulse]
State of Neglect: Displaced Children in the Central African Republic (IDMC, Nov. 2008) [English text] [French text]
Stuck in a Revolving Door: Iraqis and Other Asylum Seekers and Migrants at the Greece/Turkey Entrance to the European Union (HRW, Nov. 2008) [text]
- Also available in Greek and Turkish.
Posted in Publications.
Climate change, natural disasters and human displacement: a UNHCR perspective (UNHCR, Oct. 2008) [text]
- See also related web pages.
"The EU's failed asylum rules," International Herald Tribune, 20 Nov. 2008 [text]
From Fast Death to Slow Death: Palestinian Refugees from Iraq Trapped on the Syria-Iraq Border. Summary Report of an International NGO Delegation (Refugees International, Nov. 2008) [text]
Protracted Refugee Situations: A discussion paper prepared for the High Commissioner’s Dialogue on Protection Challenges, UNHCR/DPC/2008/Doc. 02 (UNHCR, Nov. 2008) [text]
- See also provisional agenda for upcoming HC Dialogue.
Report of the Secretary-General on children and armed conflict in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, S/2008/693 (UN, Nov. 2008) [access via UN Pulse]
State of Neglect: Displaced Children in the Central African Republic (IDMC, Nov. 2008) [English text] [French text]
Stuck in a Revolving Door: Iraqis and Other Asylum Seekers and Migrants at the Greece/Turkey Entrance to the European Union (HRW, Nov. 2008) [text]
- Also available in Greek and Turkish.
Posted in Publications.
25 November 2008
International Studies Association Papers
(updated)
In my last post, I included a reference to a paper housed in the International Studies Association (ISA) archive. These annual meetings regularly include presentations relating to forced migration issues. For example, search on "refugee* or displace*" and you will come up with 26 references just for the 2008 ISA conference alone. The archive includes papers as of the 2004 meeting. See also the web site for the Ethnicity, Nationalism and Migration Section (ENMISA) of ISA. The next ISA convention will be 15-18 February 2009 inNew York City . The theme is "Exploring the Past, Anticipating the Future."
Posted in Web Sites/Tools and Events.
In my last post, I included a reference to a paper housed in the International Studies Association (ISA) archive. These annual meetings regularly include presentations relating to forced migration issues. For example, search on "refugee* or displace*" and you will come up with 26 references just for the 2008 ISA conference alone. The archive includes papers as of the 2004 meeting. See also the web site for the Ethnicity, Nationalism and Migration Section (ENMISA) of ISA. The next ISA convention will be 15-18 February 2009 in
Posted in Web Sites/Tools and Events.
Kakuma Continued
The Kakuma references continue, thanks to Jeff Crisp!
Amollo, Maurice O. 2008. The Power of Theatre in Transforming Conflicts at Kakuma Refugee Camp [access]
Bartolomei, Linda, Eileen Pittaway and Emma Elizabeth Pittaway. 2003. "Who Am I? Identity and citizenship in Kakuma refugee camp in northern Kenya." Development, vol. 46, no. 3: 87-93 [abstract]
Rigg, Julianna. 2006. "Trust in Transition: An Applied Statistical Network Analysis of Trust Networks in Kakuma Refugee Camp, Kenya." Paper presented at the annual meeting of the International Studies Association, San Diego, California [access]
Tachiiri, K. & I. Ohta. "Assessing impact of a large-sized refugee camp on the local vegetation condition with remote sensing: a case study of Kakuma, Kenya." In Geoscience and Remote Sensing Symposium, 2004. IGARSS '04. Proceedings. 2004 IEEE International, 20-24 Sept. 2004, vol. 3, pp: 1547-1550 [abstract]
Posted in Publications.
Amollo, Maurice O. 2008. The Power of Theatre in Transforming Conflicts at Kakuma Refugee Camp [access]
Bartolomei, Linda, Eileen Pittaway and Emma Elizabeth Pittaway. 2003. "Who Am I? Identity and citizenship in Kakuma refugee camp in northern Kenya." Development, vol. 46, no. 3: 87-93 [abstract]
Rigg, Julianna. 2006. "Trust in Transition: An Applied Statistical Network Analysis of Trust Networks in Kakuma Refugee Camp, Kenya." Paper presented at the annual meeting of the International Studies Association, San Diego, California [access]
Posted in Publications.
24 November 2008
Making Research/Policy Recommendations More Visible
Several organizations have recently launched web sites or added sections to their sites devoted to "research" and/or "policy." Here are a few I've noticed:
Human Rights Watch (HRW), "Policy Makers" [access]
- Includes policy recommendations and commentary, as well as regional/topical access to their news and publications. Three additional sections can be accessed: experts, letters and Q&As (the latter was not functional at the time of this writing). RSS available.
International Centre for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD), "Research and Documentation" [access]
- From the web site: "The objective of ICMPD’s research Unit is to further knowledge on migration related issues, to facilitate co-operation and synergy within and beyond the research community and to respond to an increased demand for a more policy relevant research. It has built up a reputation for research on international migration trends, patterns and policies in the wider European context based on comparative analysis. The programme is based on policy oriented, empirical research with an interdisciplinary and international approach."
MSF Field Research [access]
- From the web site: "MSF is well known for its humanitarian medical work, but it has also produced important research based on its field experience with vulnerable populations. Its studies have been published in over 90 peer-reviewed journals and have often changed clinical practice and been used for humanitarian advocacy. This website archives MSF's scientific articles and makes them available free, with full text, and in an easily searchable format." RSS available.
Refugees International (RI), "For Policy Makers" [access]
- RI has always had policy recommendations, but its newly re-organized web site now includes a specific section for policy makers, with the following sub-sections: Congress, UN, US administration, field reports, and in depth reports.
Posted in Web Sites and Tools.
Human Rights Watch (HRW), "Policy Makers" [access]
- Includes policy recommendations and commentary, as well as regional/topical access to their news and publications. Three additional sections can be accessed: experts, letters and Q&As (the latter was not functional at the time of this writing). RSS available.
International Centre for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD), "Research and Documentation" [access]
- From the web site: "The objective of ICMPD’s research Unit is to further knowledge on migration related issues, to facilitate co-operation and synergy within and beyond the research community and to respond to an increased demand for a more policy relevant research. It has built up a reputation for research on international migration trends, patterns and policies in the wider European context based on comparative analysis. The programme is based on policy oriented, empirical research with an interdisciplinary and international approach."
MSF Field Research [access]
- From the web site: "MSF is well known for its humanitarian medical work, but it has also produced important research based on its field experience with vulnerable populations. Its studies have been published in over 90 peer-reviewed journals and have often changed clinical practice and been used for humanitarian advocacy. This website archives MSF's scientific articles and makes them available free, with full text, and in an easily searchable format." RSS available.
Refugees International (RI), "For Policy Makers" [access]
- RI has always had policy recommendations, but its newly re-organized web site now includes a specific section for policy makers, with the following sub-sections: Congress, UN, US administration, field reports, and in depth reports.
Posted in Web Sites and Tools.
New Issues of Dev. in Practice, EJML, IMR, JRS, Researcher
(updated)
Development in Practice, vol. 18, no. 6 (2008) [contents]
- Mix of articles.
European Journal of Migration and Law, vol. 10, no. 4 (2008) [contents]
- Mix of articles including one on the right to seek asylum in Europe and a book review of Forced Migration, Human Rights and Security.
International Migration Review, vol. 42, no. 4 (Dec. 2008) [contents]
- Mix of articles.
Journal of Refugee Studies, vol. 21, no. (Dec. 2008) [contents]
- Special issue on "Invisible Displacement."
The Researcher, vol. 3, no. 3 (Nov. 2008) [full-text]
- Mix of articles on immigration and refugee law in Ireland, the UK and Europe.
Posted in Periodicals.
Development in Practice, vol. 18, no. 6 (2008) [contents]
- Mix of articles.
European Journal of Migration and Law, vol. 10, no. 4 (2008) [contents]
- Mix of articles including one on the right to seek asylum in Europe and a book review of Forced Migration, Human Rights and Security.
International Migration Review, vol. 42, no. 4 (Dec. 2008) [contents]
- Mix of articles.
Journal of Refugee Studies, vol. 21, no. (Dec. 2008) [contents]
- Special issue on "Invisible Displacement."
The Researcher, vol. 3, no. 3 (Nov. 2008) [full-text]
- Mix of articles on immigration and refugee law in Ireland, the UK and Europe.
Posted in Periodicals.
21 November 2008
AU Meetings on Forced Displacement in Africa
The African Union recently held several meetings on the challenge of forced displacement in Africa. A group of experts met from 5-7 November 2008 while a ministerial conference convened 10-11 November 2008. For meeting agendas and programmes, visit the November 2008 event archive on the African Union site. See also a conference paper for an overview and a background paper that examined the "Evolution and Current Situation of Forced Displacement in Africa"
Information about the April 2009 Special Summit of Heads of State and Government on Refugees, Returnees and Internally Displaced Persons in Africa was also made available.
Posted in Publications and Events.
Information about the April 2009 Special Summit of Heads of State and Government on Refugees, Returnees and Internally Displaced Persons in Africa was also made available.
Posted in Publications and Events.
20 November 2008
Publications: Disabled Refugees, Donors, Humanitarian Assistance/Yemen, Refugees/Egypt & Israel, Security/Somalia, UN Human Rights
Fatal Insecurity: Attacks on Aid Workers and Rights Defenders in Somalia (Amnesty International, Nov. 2008) [text]
- Available in English and French.
Humanitarian Response Index 2008 (Development Assistance Research Associates, Nov. 2008) [access]
- Overview and summaries available.
Invisible Civilians: The Challenge of Humanitarian Access in Yemen’s Forgotten War (HRW, Nov. 2008) [text]
Sinai Perils: Risks to Migrants, Refugees, and Asylum Seekers in Egypt and Israel (HRW, Nov. 2008) [text]
Supporting disabled refugees and asylum seekers: opportunities for new approaches (ICAR & Refugee Support, Nov. 2008) [text]
The United Nations Human Rights System: How to Make It Work for You (NGLS & OHCHR, 2008) [access via UN Pulse]
- Available in English and French.
Posted in Publications.
- Available in English and French.
Humanitarian Response Index 2008 (Development Assistance Research Associates, Nov. 2008) [access]
- Overview and summaries available.
Invisible Civilians: The Challenge of Humanitarian Access in Yemen’s Forgotten War (HRW, Nov. 2008) [text]
Sinai Perils: Risks to Migrants, Refugees, and Asylum Seekers in Egypt and Israel (HRW, Nov. 2008) [text]
Supporting disabled refugees and asylum seekers: opportunities for new approaches (ICAR & Refugee Support, Nov. 2008) [text]
The United Nations Human Rights System: How to Make It Work for You (NGLS & OHCHR, 2008) [access via UN Pulse]
- Available in English and French.
Posted in Publications.
19 November 2008
More on Kakuma, Relations with Turkana
I was forwarded the first reference below after my last post on Kakuma refugee camp research (thanks, Jeff!). The article focuses more particularly on the relationship that has developed over time between the refugees of Kakuma camp and the Turkana, the host community. I was able to find several additional references to related resources on this issue, and I've listed the titles below.
"The Mobiliser: The demise of a refugee camp might be no tragedy, but what about the death of a town?" Inside Story (22 Oct. 2008) [text]
Kakuma - Turkana, Dueling Struggles: Africa's Forgotten Peoples (Pangaea 2002) [details]
“'It Is Better to Be a Refugee Than a Turkana in Kakuma': Revisiting the Relationship between
Hosts and Refugees in Kenya," Refuge, vol. 21, no. 3 (2003) [text]
"Multiple Socio-Economic Relationships Improvised between the Turkana and Refugees in Kakuma Area, Northwestern Kenya," Chapter 9 in Displacement Risks in Africa: Refugees, Resettlers and Their Host Population (Trans Pacific Press, 2005) [preview in Google Books]
Understanding the inter-dependencies between the Turkana and Kakuma refugees: prospective impact of repatriation (Cornell University, 2007) [details]
In the course of looking for items relating specifically to Kakuma/Turkana relations, I came across these two additional references to Kakuma refugees generally:
"Kakuma," Chapter 2 in The Longest Journey: Resettling Refugees from Africa (UNSW Press, 2006) [preview in Google Books]
"Rights and Refuge in Kakuma: An Inquiry into the Management of Humanitarian Assistance in Protracted Refugee Situations in Africa," Chapter 1 in Refugee Crisis and International Response: Towards Permanent Solutions? (Leon Koźmiński Academy of Entrepreneurship and Management, 2005) [text]
Posted in Publications.
"The Mobiliser: The demise of a refugee camp might be no tragedy, but what about the death of a town?" Inside Story (22 Oct. 2008) [text]
Kakuma - Turkana, Dueling Struggles: Africa's Forgotten Peoples (Pangaea 2002) [details]
“'It Is Better to Be a Refugee Than a Turkana in Kakuma': Revisiting the Relationship between
Hosts and Refugees in Kenya," Refuge, vol. 21, no. 3 (2003) [text]
"Multiple Socio-Economic Relationships Improvised between the Turkana and Refugees in Kakuma Area, Northwestern Kenya," Chapter 9 in Displacement Risks in Africa: Refugees, Resettlers and Their Host Population (Trans Pacific Press, 2005) [preview in Google Books]
Understanding the inter-dependencies between the Turkana and Kakuma refugees: prospective impact of repatriation (Cornell University, 2007) [details]
In the course of looking for items relating specifically to Kakuma/Turkana relations, I came across these two additional references to Kakuma refugees generally:
"Kakuma," Chapter 2 in The Longest Journey: Resettling Refugees from Africa (UNSW Press, 2006) [preview in Google Books]
"Rights and Refuge in Kakuma: An Inquiry into the Management of Humanitarian Assistance in Protracted Refugee Situations in Africa," Chapter 1 in Refugee Crisis and International Response: Towards Permanent Solutions? (Leon Koźmiński Academy of Entrepreneurship and Management, 2005) [text]
Posted in Publications.
17 November 2008
New Issues of Afrika Spec., CSD, Dis. Prev. & Mgmt., Gender, Tech, & Dev., HRQ, JEMS, Refugee Rts.
Afrika Spectrum, vol. 43, no. (2008) [contents]
- Special issue on the Horn of Africa; includes articles on the "productivity of refugee camps" and "international aid to refugee camps."
Conflict, Security and Development, vol. 8, no. 3 (2008) [contents]
- Mix of articles, including one on "displaced children" and one on "remittance sending practices amongst Somalis in Norway."
Disaster Prevention and Management, vol. 17, no. 5 (2008) [contents]
- Mix of articles.
Gender, Technology and Development, vol. 12, no. 1 (March 2008) [contents]
- Theme issue that focuses on "human trafficking."
Human Rights Quarterly, vol. 30, no. 4 (Nov. 2008) [contents]
- Mix of articles.
Journal of Ethnic and Migration Studies, vol. 35, no. 1 (2009) [contents]
- Mix of articles.
Refugee Rights News, vol. 4, no. 6 (Oct. 2008) [full-text]
Posted in Periodicals.
- Special issue on the Horn of Africa; includes articles on the "productivity of refugee camps" and "international aid to refugee camps."
Conflict, Security and Development, vol. 8, no. 3 (2008) [contents]
- Mix of articles, including one on "displaced children" and one on "remittance sending practices amongst Somalis in Norway."
Disaster Prevention and Management, vol. 17, no. 5 (2008) [contents]
- Mix of articles.
Gender, Technology and Development, vol. 12, no. 1 (March 2008) [contents]
- Theme issue that focuses on "human trafficking."
Human Rights Quarterly, vol. 30, no. 4 (Nov. 2008) [contents]
- Mix of articles.
Journal of Ethnic and Migration Studies, vol. 35, no. 1 (2009) [contents]
- Mix of articles.
Refugee Rights News, vol. 4, no. 6 (Oct. 2008) [full-text]
Posted in Periodicals.
15 November 2008
Publications: Burundian Refugees/Tanzania, Burma Youth/Thailand, Detention, Governance/Africa, HIV, State of World Population, Urban IDPs/Kenya
DG ECHO HIV Guidelines (Directorate-General for Humanitarian Aid, ECHO, Oct. 2008) [text]
Global Detention Survey: Summary of Findings (International Detention Coalition, Oct. 2008) [access]
- Select "IDCGlobalSurveyFindings.doc" to open the Word document.
Going Home or Staying Home? Ending Displacement for Burundian Refugees in Tanzania, Citizenship and Forced Migration in the Great Lakes Region Working Paper, no. 1 (Centre for the Study of Forced Migration, International Refugee Rights Initiative & Social Science Research Council, Nov. 2008) [text]
Ibrahim Index of African Governance (Mo Ibrahim Foundation, Oct. 2008) [access]
Living in Limbo: Burma's Youth in Thailand (Women's Commission, Oct. 2008) [text]
Special Bulletin on Urban IDPs (Refugee Law Project, Oct. 2008) [text]
State of World Population 2008 - Reaching Common Ground: Culture, Gender and Human Rights (UNFPA, 2008) [text]
Posted in Publications.
Global Detention Survey: Summary of Findings (International Detention Coalition, Oct. 2008) [access]
- Select "IDCGlobalSurveyFindings.doc" to open the Word document.
Going Home or Staying Home? Ending Displacement for Burundian Refugees in Tanzania, Citizenship and Forced Migration in the Great Lakes Region Working Paper, no. 1 (Centre for the Study of Forced Migration, International Refugee Rights Initiative & Social Science Research Council, Nov. 2008) [text]
Ibrahim Index of African Governance (Mo Ibrahim Foundation, Oct. 2008) [access]
Living in Limbo: Burma's Youth in Thailand (Women's Commission, Oct. 2008) [text]
Special Bulletin on Urban IDPs (Refugee Law Project, Oct. 2008) [text]
State of World Population 2008 - Reaching Common Ground: Culture, Gender and Human Rights (UNFPA, 2008) [text]
Posted in Publications.
14 November 2008
November Events
Asia Pacific Consultation on Refugee Rights, Kuala Lumpur, 20-21 November 2008 [access]
- Organized by Forum Asia.
Beyond Humanitarianism in Eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, Washington, DC, 19 November 2008 [access]
- Public event organized by the U.S. Institute of Peace.
Causes of Forced Migration and Systemic Responses: Human Rights of the Displaced in Ethical, Religious, and Political Perspectives, Boston College, 20-22 November 2008 [access]
- Conference organized by the Center for Human Rights & International Justice in collaboration with the Jesuit Refugee Service and Catholic Relief Services.
Palestinian Refugees and International Law, Oxford, 29–30 November 2008 [access]
- Two-day weekend workshop organized by the Refugee Studies Centre.
UNU Panel Discussion: Protracted Refugee Situations, New York, 25 November 2008 [access]
- Findings of recent book on this issue will be discussed.
Posted in Events & Opportunities.
- Organized by Forum Asia.
Beyond Humanitarianism in Eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, Washington, DC, 19 November 2008 [access]
- Public event organized by the U.S. Institute of Peace.
Causes of Forced Migration and Systemic Responses: Human Rights of the Displaced in Ethical, Religious, and Political Perspectives, Boston College, 20-22 November 2008 [access]
- Conference organized by the Center for Human Rights & International Justice in collaboration with the Jesuit Refugee Service and Catholic Relief Services.
Palestinian Refugees and International Law, Oxford, 29–30 November 2008 [access]
- Two-day weekend workshop organized by the Refugee Studies Centre.
UNU Panel Discussion: Protracted Refugee Situations, New York, 25 November 2008 [access]
- Findings of recent book on this issue will be discussed.
Posted in Events & Opportunities.
Spotlight on Protracted Displacement Situations
Refugees who have been confined to refugee camps for extended periods are referred to as being "warehoused" or trapped in "protracted refugee situations." Millions of refugees' lives and livelihoods have been left hanging in limbo as a result. The challenge of finding a solution has resulted in a flurry of research and publication, and the convening of high-level meetings.
Two edited volumes have been published this month alone on protracted situations. The first is entitled Protracted Refugee Situations: Political, Human Rights and Security Implications, and is edited by Gil Loescher, James Milner, Edward Newman and Gary Troeller, with contributions from both scholars and practitioners. The book "explore(s) the sources, nature and consequences of these situations and the record of the international community’s attempts to find durable solutions." Its findings will be discussed at a UNU panel in New York, November 25th.
Gil Loescher and James Milner are Co-Directors of the PRS Project: Towards Solutions to Protracted Refugee Situations, based at the Refugee Studies Centre in Oxford. Prof. Loescher, Edward Newman and Gary Troeller also took part in a United Nations University project called "The Politics, Human Rights and Security Implications of Protracted Refugee Situations," which resulted in this policy brief.
The second book, Protracted Displacement in Asia: No Place to Call Home, "reviews the situation and results of research and policies that have left refugees as a forgotten group in protracted situations." The editor, Howard Adelman, and several of the contributors have been involved in the research project, A Place to Call Home, which is a joint partnership between the Key Centre for Ethics, Law, Justice & Governance, Griffith University and AUSTCARE.
The second meeting of the High Commissioner's Dialogue on Protection Challenges will also take up these issues in December, with working groups that focus on such questions as solutions to protracted situations, how to ensure sustainable returns, and providing protection and assistance in protracted situations. A concept paper outlining key discussion points will be available shortly. A diverse collection of UNHCR documents on protracted refugee situations compiled by the Policy Development and Evaluation Section (PDES) is available here.
Finally, an African Union Special Summit of Heads of State and Government on Refugees, Returnees and Internally Displaced Persons in Africa will convene in April 2009 to address "the challenge of forced displacement in Africa" generally. The problem of protracted displacement will be among the issues discussed.
Building on the momentum from all of these activities, the Forced Migration Review (FMR) plans to devote a forthcoming issue to "protracted displacement situations." Interested contributors must submit articles by 19 January 2009.
Posted in Events & Opportunities and Publications.
Two edited volumes have been published this month alone on protracted situations. The first is entitled Protracted Refugee Situations: Political, Human Rights and Security Implications, and is edited by Gil Loescher, James Milner, Edward Newman and Gary Troeller, with contributions from both scholars and practitioners. The book "explore(s) the sources, nature and consequences of these situations and the record of the international community’s attempts to find durable solutions." Its findings will be discussed at a UNU panel in New York, November 25th.
Gil Loescher and James Milner are Co-Directors of the PRS Project: Towards Solutions to Protracted Refugee Situations, based at the Refugee Studies Centre in Oxford. Prof. Loescher, Edward Newman and Gary Troeller also took part in a United Nations University project called "The Politics, Human Rights and Security Implications of Protracted Refugee Situations," which resulted in this policy brief.
The second book, Protracted Displacement in Asia: No Place to Call Home, "reviews the situation and results of research and policies that have left refugees as a forgotten group in protracted situations." The editor, Howard Adelman, and several of the contributors have been involved in the research project, A Place to Call Home, which is a joint partnership between the Key Centre for Ethics, Law, Justice & Governance, Griffith University and AUSTCARE.
The second meeting of the High Commissioner's Dialogue on Protection Challenges will also take up these issues in December, with working groups that focus on such questions as solutions to protracted situations, how to ensure sustainable returns, and providing protection and assistance in protracted situations. A concept paper outlining key discussion points will be available shortly. A diverse collection of UNHCR documents on protracted refugee situations compiled by the Policy Development and Evaluation Section (PDES) is available here.
Finally, an African Union Special Summit of Heads of State and Government on Refugees, Returnees and Internally Displaced Persons in Africa will convene in April 2009 to address "the challenge of forced displacement in Africa" generally. The problem of protracted displacement will be among the issues discussed.
Building on the momentum from all of these activities, the Forced Migration Review (FMR) plans to devote a forthcoming issue to "protracted displacement situations." Interested contributors must submit articles by 19 January 2009.
Many thanks to Jeff Crisp for providing information for this post!
Posted in Events & Opportunities and Publications.
13 November 2008
International Emergency Medicine Current Awareness
In order to promote more timely access to important research, the Emergency Medicine Residents Association (EMRA) recently began producing a quarterly review. This review serves as an update to EMRA's annual survey of research undertaken in the field of international emergency medicine, which was initiated to facilitate access to a scattered literature base.
The three annual literature reviews that have been produced to date have all been published in the journal, Academic Emergency Medicine. References to these can be accessed in my forced migration research guide via the index term "emergency medical care." And this post in my other blog provides a strategy for accessing the actual texts of the literature reviews.
Posted in Publications.
The three annual literature reviews that have been produced to date have all been published in the journal, Academic Emergency Medicine. References to these can be accessed in my forced migration research guide via the index term "emergency medical care." And this post in my other blog provides a strategy for accessing the actual texts of the literature reviews.
Posted in Publications.
12 November 2008
Kakuma Refugee Camp Research
Since it has been over a year since my last post on Kakuma refugee camp, I thought I'd take a look to see 1) what other information resources have become available in the interim, and 2) what I might have missed the last go-round.
Eidelson, Roy J. & Rebecca Horn. 2008. "Who Wants to Return Home? A Survey of Sudanese Refugees in Kakuma, Kenya." Refuge, vol. 25, no. 1.
Feyissa, Abebe & Rebecca Horn. 2008. "Traveling Souls: Life in a refugee camp, where hearts wander as minds deteriorate." UTNE Reader (Sept.-Oct.). [An earlier version of the article, with photos and related links, was published in the Boston College Magazine. And a chapter by the same author on his experiences as an Ethiopian refugee in Kakuma is included in the book, Refugee Rights: Ethics, Advocacy, and Africa, Washington, DC: Georgetown University Press, April 2008; preview the book here.]
Horn, Rebecca. 2006. "Kenya: When Resettlement is the Only Long-term Option." Servir, no. 38 (Sept.) : 6-7.
Jansen, Bram J. 2008. "Between vulnerability and assertiveness: Negotiating resettlement in Kakuma refugee camp, Kenya." African Affairs, vol. 107, no. 429 (Oct.) : 569-87.
- This abstract notes that the article is based on fieldwork undertaken for a project entitled "Creating space in a 'naked city': violence and identity in Kakuma refugee camp, Kenya."
Kamau, Michael, et al. 2004. "Psychiatric Disorders in an African Refugee Camp." Intervention, vol. 2, no. 2.
Mburu, Evans. 2004. "English Language Instruction in Kakuma Camp, Kenya." Refugee Reports, vol. 25, no. 4.
My earlier post on Kakuma elicited a reference to the following thesis:
Schechter, James Alan. 2004. Governing "lost boys": Sudanese refugees in a UNHCR camp. PhD, University of Colorado at Boulder.
Here are a few other theses that have included fieldwork in or case studies on Kakuma:
Kelly, Michele. 2007. The Experiences of Refugee Youth from the Conflicts in the Sudan: A Collective Case Study. PhD, Louisiana State University.
Mutua, Alfred Nganga. 2002. Media for development and democracy: a new paradigm for development incorporating culture and communication. PhD, Univ. of Western Sydney.
Mwangi, Annabel Namik. 2006. Refugees and the state in Kenya : the politics of identity, rights and displacement. D.Phil, Univ. of Oxford.
- No abstract, but a copy is available in the RSC library collection.
Posted in Publications.
Eidelson, Roy J. & Rebecca Horn. 2008. "Who Wants to Return Home? A Survey of Sudanese Refugees in Kakuma, Kenya." Refuge, vol. 25, no. 1.
Feyissa, Abebe & Rebecca Horn. 2008. "Traveling Souls: Life in a refugee camp, where hearts wander as minds deteriorate." UTNE Reader (Sept.-Oct.). [An earlier version of the article, with photos and related links, was published in the Boston College Magazine. And a chapter by the same author on his experiences as an Ethiopian refugee in Kakuma is included in the book, Refugee Rights: Ethics, Advocacy, and Africa, Washington, DC: Georgetown University Press, April 2008; preview the book here.]
Horn, Rebecca. 2006. "Kenya: When Resettlement is the Only Long-term Option." Servir, no. 38 (Sept.) : 6-7.
Jansen, Bram J. 2008. "Between vulnerability and assertiveness: Negotiating resettlement in Kakuma refugee camp, Kenya." African Affairs, vol. 107, no. 429 (Oct.) : 569-87.
- This abstract notes that the article is based on fieldwork undertaken for a project entitled "Creating space in a 'naked city': violence and identity in Kakuma refugee camp, Kenya."
Kamau, Michael, et al. 2004. "Psychiatric Disorders in an African Refugee Camp." Intervention, vol. 2, no. 2.
Mburu, Evans. 2004. "English Language Instruction in Kakuma Camp, Kenya." Refugee Reports, vol. 25, no. 4.
My earlier post on Kakuma elicited a reference to the following thesis:
Schechter, James Alan. 2004. Governing "lost boys": Sudanese refugees in a UNHCR camp. PhD, University of Colorado at Boulder.
Here are a few other theses that have included fieldwork in or case studies on Kakuma:
Kelly, Michele. 2007. The Experiences of Refugee Youth from the Conflicts in the Sudan: A Collective Case Study. PhD, Louisiana State University.
Mutua, Alfred Nganga. 2002. Media for development and democracy: a new paradigm for development incorporating culture and communication. PhD, Univ. of Western Sydney.
Mwangi, Annabel Namik. 2006. Refugees and the state in Kenya : the politics of identity, rights and displacement. D.Phil, Univ. of Oxford.
- No abstract, but a copy is available in the RSC library collection.
Posted in Publications.
11 November 2008
Audiovisual Library of International Law
For reference, I posted a note on my other blog, Researching Refugees, about the UN's recent release of the Audiovisual Library of International Law. It may be of interest to readers here.
Posted in Web Sites & Tools.
Posted in Web Sites & Tools.
10 November 2008
International Migration and Human Rights
The 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) will be commemorated one month from today on December 10th. The Global Migration Group has released a report in advance of the anniversary, entitled International Migration and Human Rights: Challenges and Opportunities on the Threshold of the 60th Anniversary of the Universal
Declaration of Human Rights, which "considers the human rights framework governing migration,
arguing that migrants are not simply agents of development, but human beings with rights which States, exercising their sovereign right to determine who enters and remains in their territory, have an obligation to protect" (p. 6). It provides definitions, reviews the legal framework, considers the human rights challenges migrants face, looks at globalization and development issues, discusses migration data, and concludes with key messages.
Posted in Publications.
Declaration of Human Rights, which "considers the human rights framework governing migration,
arguing that migrants are not simply agents of development, but human beings with rights which States, exercising their sovereign right to determine who enters and remains in their territory, have an obligation to protect" (p. 6). It provides definitions, reviews the legal framework, considers the human rights challenges migrants face, looks at globalization and development issues, discusses migration data, and concludes with key messages.
Posted in Publications.
08 November 2008
Research Papers: Environmentally-induced Migration, IDP Women/Sierra Leone, Subsidiary Protection, Sudanese Migrants/Egypt
Internally Displaced Woman: The Gendered Economy of Return Migration in Sierra Leone, Paper prepared for Development Studies Association Annual Conference, London, 8 Nov. 2008 [access]
Pandemic Preparedness among Sudanese Migrants in Greater Cairo (AUC Center for Migration and Refugee Studies & IOM, Oct. 2008) [text]
Preliminary Findings from the EACH-FOR Project on Environmentally Induced Migration (EACH-FOR Project Consortium, Oct. 2008) [text]
Salah Sheekh is a refugee: New insights into primary and subsidiary forms of protection, Working Paper no. 49 (RSC, Oct. 2008) [text]
Posted in Publications.
Pandemic Preparedness among Sudanese Migrants in Greater Cairo (AUC Center for Migration and Refugee Studies & IOM, Oct. 2008) [text]
Preliminary Findings from the EACH-FOR Project on Environmentally Induced Migration (EACH-FOR Project Consortium, Oct. 2008) [text]
Salah Sheekh is a refugee: New insights into primary and subsidiary forms of protection, Working Paper no. 49 (RSC, Oct. 2008) [text]
Posted in Publications.
06 November 2008
RSQ Bibliographies
Once upon a time, the Refugee Survey Quarterly published bibliographies that related to the special themes highlighted in each issue. Unfortunately, these were discontinued as of volume 27 (2008). However, since the bibliographies represent topical finding aids and as such, are useful for research purposes, I created an index to them in the forced migration wiki I recently compiled.
You will still need to access the journal in order to review the texts of the bibliographies. You can do this by following the Worldcat and journal publisher links in the individual records that describe each bibliography.
Posted in Web Sites & Tools.
You will still need to access the journal in order to review the texts of the bibliographies. You can do this by following the Worldcat and journal publisher links in the individual records that describe each bibliography.
Posted in Web Sites & Tools.
05 November 2008
Publications: Disaster-displaced, Human Security, Human Trafficking, North Korea, Private Security Providers
Congress and U.S. Policy on North Korean Human Rights and Refugees: Recent Legislation and Implementation (U.S. Congressional Research Service, Oct. 2008) [text via Human Security Gateway]
Data and Research on Human Trafficking: Bibliography of Research-Based Literature (Institute for the Study of International Migration, Oct. 2008) [text]
miniAtlas of Human Security (Human Security Report Project, Simon Fraser University & World Bank, Oct. 2008) [access]
- Also available in French and Spanish.
"A Tale of Two Disasters: The plight of migrants caught up in Hurricane Katrina and the Asian Tsunami," Journal of Humanitarian Assistance (Nov. 2008) [text]
The use of private security providers and services in humanitarian operations, HPG Report 27 (ODI & Center on International Cooperation, Sept. 2008) [text]
Posted in Publications.
Data and Research on Human Trafficking: Bibliography of Research-Based Literature (Institute for the Study of International Migration, Oct. 2008) [text]
miniAtlas of Human Security (Human Security Report Project, Simon Fraser University & World Bank, Oct. 2008) [access]
- Also available in French and Spanish.
"A Tale of Two Disasters: The plight of migrants caught up in Hurricane Katrina and the Asian Tsunami," Journal of Humanitarian Assistance (Nov. 2008) [text]
The use of private security providers and services in humanitarian operations, HPG Report 27 (ODI & Center on International Cooperation, Sept. 2008) [text]
Posted in Publications.
04 November 2008
Arthur Helton Fellowship
The Arthur C. Helton Fellowship Program was established by the American Society of International Law (ASIL) in memory of Mr. Helton, who died in the Baghdad bombing of the UN Mission in August 2003. Applications are now being accepted and may continue to be submitted until 13 February 2009. More information and an online application are available on the ASIL web site.
Mr. Helton's last book was The Price of Indifference: Refugees and Humanitarian Action in the New Century (OUP 2002).
Posted in Events & Opportunities.
Mr. Helton's last book was The Price of Indifference: Refugees and Humanitarian Action in the New Century (OUP 2002).
Posted in Events & Opportunities.
03 November 2008
Publications: Asylum/Sexual Orientation, Integration, Iraqi Refugees, Peacekeeping, Statistics, UNHCR Report
(updated)
2007 Yearbook on Immigration Statistics (U.S. Dept. of Homeland Security, Nov. 2008) [access via beSpacific]
The Difficulties of US Asylum Claims Based on Sexual Orientation (Migration Information Source, Oct. 2008) [text]
Does Deployment Matter? Examining the Conditions under which Peacekeeping Missions Effectively Protect Displaced Persons and Refugees (Ford Institute for Human Security, 2008) [text]
ECRE Recommendations to the 2008 Ministerial Conference on Integration (ECRE, Nov. 2008) [text]
Iraqi Refugees: Plan for Ongoing Support in an Unstable Region (Refugees International, Oct. 2008) [text]
Report of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, Doc. no. A/63/12 (UNGA, 2008) [text via UN Pulse]
Posted in Publications.
2007 Yearbook on Immigration Statistics (U.S. Dept. of Homeland Security, Nov. 2008) [access via beSpacific]
The Difficulties of US Asylum Claims Based on Sexual Orientation (Migration Information Source, Oct. 2008) [text]
Does Deployment Matter? Examining the Conditions under which Peacekeeping Missions Effectively Protect Displaced Persons and Refugees (Ford Institute for Human Security, 2008) [text]
ECRE Recommendations to the 2008 Ministerial Conference on Integration (ECRE, Nov. 2008) [text]
Iraqi Refugees: Plan for Ongoing Support in an Unstable Region (Refugees International, Oct. 2008) [text]
Report of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, Doc. no. A/63/12 (UNGA, 2008) [text via UN Pulse]
Posted in Publications.