Dear all,
I would like to bring to your attention the following panel at the
Second World Conference of Humanitarian Studies (WCHS), organized by the
International Humanitarian Studies Association (IHSA) and hosted by
Tufts University, Medford, USA (in collaboration with Harvard
University, Columbia University and the Social Science Research Council)
that will take place 2 - 5 June 2011
Call for Papers
Humanitarian Diasporas: exploring the role of refugee resettlement and
transnational networks in post-conflict reconstruction
In the past decade, refugee resettlement has gained prominence as a
durable solution to protracted refugee crises. Many resettled refugees
however remain strongly attached to their original home countries and
communities. A durable component of the solution of resettlement may not
be the permanent residence in resettlement countries, but the forging of
durable international networks. The networks link different worlds
together that facilitate people to engage in contributing to the
development of their countries, towns or villages, albeit outside of the
scope of humanitarian governance or practice. For instance, South
Sudanese who were resettled to the US eight years ago, now engage in the
reconstruction of Southern Sudan, while Somalis contribute to their kin
via joint ventures and investment in businesses in Kenya and Somalia,
and specialized agencies recruit educated personnel from the Diaspora.
These dynamics are little explored in the specific context of
post-conflict reconstruction.
Refugee resettlement impacts on peoples lives in profound ways: refugees
who move to new (mostly western) countries, are exposed to other social
environments and opportunities. They may obtain degrees, experiences and
financial reserves in their countries of exile, and share their
knowledge, resources and capital with their social networks in original
homelands. As a durable solution, the event of resettlement is the
beginning of new relationships with institutions and people in home
countries. These relationships are important due to the protractedness
of crises, for instance via remittances. In that sense, transnational
networks may already be in place before reconstruction is feasible, and
remain important for a long time afterwards.
In this panel, aid workers, resettled refugees, academics, members from
the private sector, and other stakeholders are invited to share
perspectives on theory and practices of refugee resettlement in the
context of post-conflict reconstruction. In what ways can networks
between resettled refugees and their home countries be utilized in
reconstruction efforts? Or in which ways do resettlement countries take
into account their role in the creation of durable networks between
resettled refugees and their home areas? Do humanitarian concerns and
practices connect to or recognize the private sector in which returnees
may operate?
Abstracts may be submitted until May 6 via the conference website:
http://humanitarianstudies2011.org (theme 1: emerging from protracted
crises).
Questions about the panel can be addressed to Bram Jansen, Disaster
Studies, Wageningen University, The Netherlands
Please send all replies to: [log in to unmask]
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