Protracted situations of displacement are increasing both in numbers and persistence. They pose  a considerable challenge to development and  humanitarian aid in the affected regions. Selfreliance approaches are regarded as a possible way  forward—most prominently in the Global Compact  on Refugees. The local conditions for implementing such approaches as well as the perspectives  and strategies of those affected have, nevertheless, often been ignored. The conference addressed this shortcoming by presenting and assessing  innovative understandings of the characteristics and specifics of such situations. Case studies included East and West Africa, South America, the Middle and the Far East. The panelists analyzed characteristics and differences of protracted displacement,  discussed challenges of (re-)integration and the interrelation of peace processes and displacement  dynamics. They also explored how academic analyses relate to specific humanitarian and developmental approaches.

The conference presented and discussed the findings of the four-year-long comparative  research project “Protected rather than protracted—Strengthening Refugees and Peace”  funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ). This project scrutinizes opportunities for finding  solutions to protracted displacement and inves- tigates in how far the participation of displaced persons in peace processes influences the sustainability of their (re-)integration.

Elke Löbel, Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), giving a welcome speech

The audience listening

Press release "Internationale Konferenz \ 'Breaking Cycles of Displacement'" (in German, pdf)

Press release "International Conference \ Breaking Cycles of Displacement" (in English, pdf)

Programme