Date of Award

2020

Document Type

Research Paper

First Advisor

Mike McBride

Abstract

As of June 2019, there is an unprecedented forcibly displaced population of 70.8 million people worldwide. The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) defines a refugee as someone who "is unable or unwilling to return to their country of origin oowing to a well-founded fear of being persecuted for reasons of race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group, or political opinion.This paper seeks to gain a deeper understanding of the linkages between the current humanitarian assistance environments in Tanzania and France, two countries that represent both ends of the economically- developed spectrum, and how their efforts to solve their refugee crisi align with the non-binding Global Compact on Refugees (GCR). Adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in December of 2018, the GCR is structured around a proposed shared responsivility. It is designed to: "(i) ease pressures on host countries; (ii) enhance refugee self-reliance; (iii) expand across to third country solutions; and (iv) support conditions in countries of origin for return in safety and dignity.Country-specific data regarding the current refugee situtations in both locations was collected through explanatory and historical research methods, including literary reseaarch and interviews with Tanzanian and French professionals in the community development and humanitarian assistance sectors. I hypothesized that my findings would suggest that a country's degree of economic development would largely bias its ability to adhere to the GCR in successfully addressing and alleviating consumptive refugee situations. Though this may be valid in some contexts, what I found was more compelling for Tanzania and France to follow the guidelines and goodwill principles of the GCR, however, is the country perspective regarding humanity and attitude toward refugee immigration. This paper encourages readers- professionals, intellecturals, and students alike- to think critically about the ethical imporatance of addressing refugee situations and what criteria are necessary to ensure the sustainability of efficient refugee initiativrs in various states of economic development. The global refugee crisis calls upon the international community to address the root causes of displacement, promote resiliance and preparedness, and implement sustainable solutions.

Comments

WSP Major: Global Cooperation Strategies

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