Yes / This working paper deals with the nexus of diaspora communities living in European
host countries, specifically in Germany, and the transformation of protracted violent
conflicts in a number of home countries, including Sri Lanka, Cyprus, Somalia and
Afghanistan. Firstly, the political and social role and importance of diaspora
communities vis-à-vis their home and host countries is discussed, given the fact that
the majority of immigrants to Germany, as well as to many other European countries,
over the last ten years have come from countries with protracted civil wars and have
thus had to apply for refugee or asylum status. One guiding question, then, is to
what extent these groups can contribute politically and economically to supporting
conflict transformation in their countries of origin. Secondly, the role and potentials
of diaspora communities originating from countries with protracted violent conflicts
for fostering conflict transformation activities are outlined. Thirdly, the current
conflict situation in Sri Lanka is analyzed and a detailed overview of the structures
and key organizations of the Tamil and Sinhalese diaspora worldwide is given. The
structural potentials and levels for constructive intervention for working on conflict
in Sri Lanka through the diasporas are then described. Fourthly, the socio-political
roles of diaspora communities originating from Cyprus, Palestine, Somalia and
Afghanistan for peacebuilding and rehabilitation in their home countries are
discussed. The article finishes by drawing two conclusions. Firstly, it recommends
the further development of domestic migration policies in Europe in light of current
global challenges. Secondly, it points out that changes in foreign and development
policies are crucial to make better use of the immense potential of diaspora
communities for conflict transformation initiatives and development activities in
their home countries. How this can best be achieved in practice should be clarified
further through intensified action research and the launch of more pilot projects.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:BRADFORD/oai:bradscholars.brad.ac.uk:10454/4186 |
| Date | January 2004 |
| Creators | Zunzer, Wolfram |
| Publisher | Berghof Research Center for Constructive Conflict Management. |
| Source Sets | Bradford Scholars |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Occasional paper, published version paper |
| Rights | © Berghof Research Center for Constructive Conflict Management. Reproduced in accordance with the publisher's self-archiving policy. |
| Relation | http://www.berghof-center.org/std_page.php?LANG=e&id=173&parent=11, http://www.brad.ac.uk/acad/twe/publications/ |
Page generated in 0.0035 seconds