Symposium: Refugees and Displaced Persons in the Great Lakes Region
The symposium took place at ABI/ACT in Freiburg, where many international colleagues joined in person.
The keynote speaker, Dr. David N. Tshimba (Uganda Martyrs University) shared valuable insights from his research and hands-on experience working with refugees in Uganda, focusing on current challenges in funding and recent research developments in the region.
Dr. Kalyango Ronald Sebba (Kyambogo University, Uganda) and Dr. Franzisca Zanker (ABI) complemented this by presenting a paper on the political discourse around refugees and Uganda and how that has influenced local and national responses.
After this, the symposium turned its focus to the challenges, but also successes of humanitarian and non-governmental work with refugees. Prof. Dr. Dennis Dijkzeul (Institute for International Law of Peace and Armed Conflict) shared outcomes of organisations working with South Sudanese refugees in the Gulu region of Uganda. He emphasized how different organizations learned to collaborate and improve the outcomes of projects ranging from agricultural training to soap production and cash transfers.
Volker Gerdesmeier (Caritas International, Germany) was then able to expand the focus by relaying Caritas International’s work with refugees in the Eastern Congo. The dynamics of the conflict there are also changing the refugee situation in the region, but Caritas International has been able to continue providing valuable assistance because of its long-term presence and close cooperation with local agencies.
The diverse group of 14 participants engaged in lively discussions with the presenters, covering topics such as ethnicity, funding, local responses, impacts on host communities, and the political implications of hosting refugees. Despite the many challenges that were discussed, the symposium also revealed the good work being done on the ground and the opportunities for improving the lives of refugees. The symposium offered participants a valuable opportunity to engage with experts who have extensive experience working with refugees in the Great Lakes region, facilitating meaningful discussions and the exchange of ideas.
