Seminar on ' Refugees, Forced Displacement and Migration: an Oxfam perspective '

On October 27 a research seminar from the series 'Migration studies' will be held at HSE. The event is organised by HSE Institute for Social Policy and Oxfam. Edmund Cairns (Senior Policy Adviser (Research), Humanitarian Policy and Campaign Team, Oxfam GB) will speak on 'Refugees, Forced Displacement and Migration: an Oxfam perspective'.

Abstract:

The rise in the numbers of refugees, displaced people and migrants is not driven solely by the conflicts in Syria, Iraq and Afghanistan, but by a global increase in insecurity, as well as by other driving forces including climate-related disasters and the lack of economic opportunities.  Indeed, as well as such negative factors, there is an inevitable rise in international migration in a globalised world which can also make significant positive contributions both to migrants' original homelands and their new "hostlands" alike.  Despite the fact that refugees, migrants, and internally displaced people are treated differently by international law, policies, and public attitudes, they may often be vulnerable to violence and abuse in similar ways. One of the main challenges for public policy is therefore to treat them all with sufficient respect, irrespective of their legal status.  While there are a wide range of policies that could reduce the negative drivers of displacement, international development and humanitarian assistance should not be targeted to prevent migration, rather than to reduce poverty and inequality, and to meet humanitarian needs, which in different circumstances may or may not have an impact on migration.  Instead, international assistance to the low- and middle-income countries that host the great majority of displaced people should continue alongside a substantial increase in opportunities for displaced people to seek refuge in many industrialised countries. The UN High-Level Summit on Refugees and Migrants in September 2016 reached consensus on the need to uphold the rights of refugees and migrants, counter the xenophobia against them in many countries, and ensure more equitable sharing of responsibility for hosting and supporting refugees. However, many of the resulting New York Declaration's paragraphs were not commitments to any practical action, and the Declaration largely ignored internally displaced people, who still account for the great majority of forced displaced people. In the next few years, as the number of refugees, displaced people and migrants continues to rise, and states develop Global Compacts for Refugees, and for Migration, the need for greater commitments will be vital.

Working languages are English and Russian

Address: 20 Myasnitskaya, room 101.

Start time: 14.00

If you need a pass to HSE, please contact  ovoron@hse.ru