Synopses & Reviews
This is a concise and comprehensive introduction to both the world of refugees and the UN organization that protects and assists them.
Written by experts in the field, this is one of the very few books that trace the relationship between state interests, global politics, and the work of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). Looking ahead into the twenty-first century, the authors outline how the changing nature of conflict and displacement poses UNHCR with a new array of challenges and how there exists a fundamental tension between the UN 's human rights agenda of protecting refugees fleeing conflict and persecution and the security, political and economic interests of states around the world.
Key topics discussed include:
- The UNHCR as an actor in world politics since 1950
- Refugee definition and protection instruments
- New challenges to the UNHCR's mandate
- Institutional strengths and weaknesses
- Asylum crises in the global North and global South
- Protracted refugee situations and internally displaced persons
- Key criticisms and continuing relevance of the UNHCR.
Synopsis
This revised and expanded second edition of The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) continues to offer a concise and comprehensive introduction to both the world of refugees and the organizations that protect and assist them. This updated edition also includes:
- up to date coverage of the UNHCR 's most recent history and policy developments
- evaluation of new thinking on issues such as working in UN integrated operations and within the UN peacebuilding commission
- assessment of the UNHCR 's record of working for IDP 's (internally displaced persons)
- discussion of the politics of protection and its implications for the work of the UNHCR
- outline of the new challenges for the agency including environmental refugees, victims of natural disasters and survival migrants.
Written by experts in the field, this is one of the very few books to trace the relationship between state interests, global politics, and the work of the UNHCR. This book will appeal to students, scholars, practitioners, and readers with an interest in international relations.