The RRN Research Digest provides a synopsis of recent research on refugee and forced migration issues from entities associated with the RRN and others.
You can download the digest in PDF format here: RRN Research Digest No. 16
Recent Publications and New Research
African Human Mobility review, Vol.3, No. 2 (May-Aug. 2017)
With a special focus on South Africa, this special issue on migrant entrepreneurship (and the projects on which they are based) test three foundational migration myths. The first myth is that sovereign territories and local labour markets are being “swamped” by migrants to the detriment of citizens. The second is that all migration is driven by poverty in countries of origin. And the third is that migration is economically negative for receiving countries. Available at: http://sihma.org.za/online_journal/ahmr-vol-3-no2-may-august-2017/
Climate and Environment-Induced Inter-Village Migration in Southwestern Burkina Faso, West Africa by Safiétou sanfo et. al
This study investigates key environmental factors causing inter-village migration by farmers. Therefore, it used household data from surveys, semi-structured interviews, life histories and focus group discussions in southwestern Burkina Faso, West Africa. The results showed that (1) when referring to the experienced historical weather and climate, farmers were aware of the effects of on-going climate and environmental change; (2) soil degradation, land tenure insecurity and lack of rainfall were major drivers of environment-induced migration; and (3) soil fertility, productivity, rainfall and humidity, as well as land tenure security were major pull factors. Available at: http://journals.ametsoc.org/doi/abs/
Trapped in Statelessness: Rohingya Refugees in Bangladesh by Abul Hasnat Milton et. al
This article addresses the Rohingya refugee crisis in Bangladesh, with special emphasis on the living conditions of this vulnerable population. It reviews several documents on Rohingya refugees, visited a registered refugee camp (Teknaf), collected case reports, and conducted a series of meetings with stakeholders in the Cox’s Bazar district of Bangladesh. A total of 33,131 registered Rohingya refugees are living in two registered camps in Cox’s Bazar, and up to 80,000 additional refugees are housed in nearby makeshift camps. Available at: http://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/14/8/942
Refugia
Refugia is a term coined by Robin Cohen within the discussion of the limits and possibilities of creating a nation-state or a ‘Refugee Nation’ as a utopian solution of the migrant and refugee crisis. Below are a set of articles and blogs that reflect on this notion:
R Cohen and N Van Hear 2017 ‘Visions of Refugia: territorial and transnational solutions to mass displacement’http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/14649357.2017.1330233
R Cohen (2015). “Refugia: the limits and possibilities of Buzi’s Refugee Nation”, https://nandosigona.wordpress.com/2015/07/30/refugia-the-limits-and-possibilities-of-buzis-refugee-nation/
N Van Hear (2016) ‘Imagining Refugia’
https://www.compas.ox.ac.uk/2016/imagining-refugia/.
R Cohen 2017 ‘Refugia: a Utopian solution to the crisis of mass displacement’
https://theconversation.com/refugia-a-utopian-solution-to-the-crisis-of-mass-displacement-81136
Reports, Working Papers and Briefs
Scaling Canada’s Local Immigration Partnerships (LIPs) Model for Proactive Refugee Resettlement
LIPs are a community-based collaborative model for newcomer resettlement and integration that has proven successful in many local communities across Canada. Most importantly, LIPs played an important role in the resettlement of Syrian refugees in several communities across Canada in 2015-2016. The recommendation in this brief aims to offer details to scale up LIPs, a Canadian model of local community involvement in refugee resettlement for the international community. Available at: http://imrc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/IMRC-Policy-Points_June-FINAL.pdf
The concept of vulnerability in European asylum procedures, European Council on Refugees and Exiles
This report discusses the concept of vulnerability and the complexities underlying its use in asylum procedures in Europe. Vulnerability bears different meanings and dimensions in asylum systems. Beyond being a concept, vulnerability can be a tool for categorisation of the asylum-seeking population, which may create ground for procedural fragmentation at European Union (EU) and national level. Available at:
News Articles and Blogs
Statelessness and the global compact for migration by Tendayi Bloom
The global compact for migration will be the first, intergovernmentally negotiated agreement, prepared under the auspices of the United Nations, to cover all dimensions of international migration in a holistic and comprehensive manner. This blog post looks into statelessness within the context of this agreement. It highlights some important considerations such as the fact that citizenship is a right not a privilege, and that trafficking is a particular risk for stateless people. Available at:
https://rli.blogs.sas.ac.uk/2017/09/11/statelessness-and-the-global-compact-for-migration/
Hurricane Irma highlights the great divide in disaster vulnerability by Philippa Garson
This piece reflects on the recent hurricane to draw links between climate change, poverty, vulnerability and disaster management. Available at:
Central Mediterranean situation: UNHCR calls for an additional 40,000 resettlement places
UNHCR called for an additional 40,000 resettlement places to be made available for refugees located in 15 priority countries along the Central Mediterranean route. The 15 priority countries are Algeria, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Chad, Djibouti, Egypt, Ethiopia, Kenya, Libya, Mali, Mauritania, Morocco, Niger, Sudan and Tunisia. http://www.unhcr.org/news/press/2017/9/59b6a5134/central-mediterranean-situation-unhcr-calls-additional-40000-resettlement.html
Digital and Social Media
Should humanitarian organizations help with coerced repatriation? by Mollie Gerver
Listen to the podcast of the 17 May seminar, part of the Trinity term 2017 Public Seminar Serie: https://www.rsc.ox.ac.uk/news/should-humanitarian-organisations-help-with-coerced-repatriation-dr-mollie-gerver
Helping newcomers work
This Facebook page complements the initiative’s website. The mission of helpingnewcomerswork.ca is to be the ‘go-to’ digital hub for non-professional stakeholders wanting to help with the training and employment of refugee and other newcomers to Canada who face significant linguistic, educational, and cultural hurdles in finding work. The website provides helpful information, suggestions, and links on a wide variety of employment-related topics. Check: https://www.facebook.com/groups/190568614795923/