In their blog post, the authors argue that translocality as a concept allows us to shed new light on a twofold process: how armed groups anchor themselves in and across local communities. This aspect matters for the communities and because understanding the translocal dimension... more
In this Policy Brief, the authors present lessons learnt and subsequent policy implications from an in-depth analysis of the UN peace processes on Afghanistan and Syria. The authors argue that in both processes, the ability of peace process participants who come from Afghanistan and Syria to... more
Today, Afghans and Syrians constitute the highest numbers of immigrants in Germany and Europe. In this Policy Brief, the authors argue that policy must recognise the significant potential of Afghan and Syrian refugees and migrants in Germany and beyond as peace advocates and change agents in... more
How do refugees and migrants in Germany deal with conflicts in their daily lives? And how do they do so in their country of origin by engaging in peace processes? This Knowledge Note provides key insights into our BICC conference on “Refugees and migrants between everyday conflict and peace... more
For several decades now, Germany has become home to significant numbers of Afghans, and more recently Syrians, who have fled war. In this Working Paper, the authors Esther Meininghaus and Katja Mielke analyse the political engagement for peace by Afghans and Syrians in Germany since the beginning... more
This Working Paper argues that conflicts in refugee shelters in Germany can largely be attributed to structural causes. These include the asylum regime, the interplay between the physical layout and social relationships within refugee shelters, and the specific properties of the refugee... more
‘Stabilisation’ is becoming increasingly important as a policy paradigm in international security and development policy. However, different approaches to stabilisation are discussed in academia, policy and practice. Often, there is a tension between short-term approaches to stabilisation that are... more
Please find the Policy Brief here. A large-scale offensive by the Syrian regime and Russia on the governorate in North West Syria would have threatened the lives and livelihoods of close to 3 million persons. This Policy Brief by Dr. Esther Meininghaus (BICC) and Michael Kühn... more
In BICC Policy Brief 10\2018 the authors Esther Meininghaus and Katja Mielke introduce the concept of situated sustainability: Situated sustainability comprises local practices, understandings and imaginations of resource use across and within significantly different contexts (spatial and other)... more
Please find the Peace Report 2018 here. more
In BICC's recent Policy Brief "War in Syria: UN peacekeeping mission and deal with Russia are imperative", Esther Meininghaus analyses key trends in the Syrian war and stresses the imperative of a UN peace mission as part of a Grand Bargain with Russia. The author outlines the ... more
This Policy Brief presents recommendations on conflict prevention in German refugee shelters, in which all refugees are obliged to live until their applications for asylum have been processed. This study aims to contribute to prevent, minimise or resolve conflict at the level of shelters run by the... more
Germany's shelter system for refugees differs between its 16 federal states; this study focuses on the state of North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW), which hosts the highest number of refugees who have entered Germany thus far. Using a qualitative approach, the study conducted by BICC researchers... more
The upcoming Syria negotiations in Geneva on 20 February 2017 may prove fundamental in deciding on the future of the country. In their Policy Brief “Safe zones for Syria. Mitigating the Humanitarian Crisis”, BICC researchers Esther Meininghaus and Andreas Heinemann-Grüder discuss the question... more
Please find the article here. more
This article analyses the dire state of the health system in war-torn Syria. It investigates the drastic changes that have transpired in health provisions since the beginning of the conflict and sheds light on emerging coping mechanisms. The article traces the militarisation of medical care and... more
Esther Meininghaus, researcher at BICC, comments on the World Humanitarian Summit, 23-24 May 2016 in Istanbul. She underlines that “we need to act, and we need to act fast” but also addresses mayor shifts in aid funding and the crisis of the UN. Last but not least she argues that the separation of... more
This article argues that humanitarian aid in intra-state conflict plays a crucial but largely unrecognised role in shaping the preconditions for negotiations for peace and post-conflict reconstruction. Drawing on a spatial theory approach, it identifies the role of humanitarian aid as not being... more
The challenge of maintaining dictatorial regimes through control, co-option and coercion while upholding a facade of legitimacy is something that has concerned leaders throughout the Middle East and beyond. Nowhere is this more evident than in the Syria ruled by the Asads, both Hafiz and his son... more
