The aim of this workshop is to investigate how and why the Commonwealth might be in a position to offer analytical tools, and perhaps articulate policies, to meet some of the challenges posed by the forced displacement of people as a consequence of systematic repression, human rights abuses and the armed conflicts of various types which have dislocated the political, economic and social fabric of a number of societies.

Argument

The aim of this workshop is to investigate how and why the Commonwealth might be in a position to offer analytical tools, and perhaps articulate policies, to meet some of the challenges posed by the forced displacement of people as a consequence of systematic repression, human rights abuses and the armed conflicts of various types which have dislocated the political, economic and social fabric of a number of societies.

Programme

9.30. Welcome

9.45. Introduction : Mélanie Torrent (Université Paris Diderot, LARCA) & Virginie Roiron (IEP Strasbourg, SAGE)

10.00-12.00. The Commonwealth and the international community: global perspectives on solidarity

• David White (Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative): Detention, rejection and soundbites: refugees and the Commonwealth
• Anne Hammerstad (University of Kent and South African International Institute of International Affairs): Sovereignty, security and bilateralism: UNHCR and a fragmenting refugee protection regime

14.00-16.00. State policies and alternative solidarities: an elusive common wealth ?

• Dominique Vidal (Université Paris Diderot, URMIS): Migrants from Mozambique in Johannesburg: What has changed since the end of the 19th century?
• Anne-Sophie Bentz (Université Paris Diderot, CESSMA): South Asian Policies Towards Refugees
• Amelia Hadfield (Canterbury Christ Church University): Rehabilitating identities? Assessing Canada's policy on international asylum and internal migration

16.30-18.00. Climate refugees in the Pacific: Commonwealth challenges and leadership

• Adrien Rodd (Université Versailles-Saint-Quentin, CHCSC): Climate migrations in the Pacific: who counts as a refugee?
• Ron Leask (Université de Strasbourg, SEARCH): Coming ready or not! Preparedness of Commonwealth Pacific member states to avoid, mitigate or manage population movement as a result of climate change

Contact and registration

Mélanie Torrent (melanie.torrent@univ-paris-diderot.fr) & Virginie Roiron (virginie.roiron@unistra.fr)

Entry is free but registration necessary for administrative reasons.