On February 13th, 2025, a panel discussion titled “Global South Perspectives on Internally Displaced Persons” took place online. This event, hosted by the IDRC Research Chairs Network on Forced Migration and supported by LERRN: The Local Engagement Refugee Research Network, featured Paula Gaviria Betancur, UN Special Rapporteur on the human rights of internally displaced persons (IDPs), and four IDRC Research Chairs, Abebaw Minaye (Ethiopia), Hiram Angel (Mexico), Sawsan Abdulrahim (Beirut) and Houwayda Matta Bou Ramia (Lebanon). The speakers reflected on some of the work priorities, methods and challenges presented in the report, specifically in the current geo-political context, and ask, what has changed and what has stayed the same given changing global dynamics over the two years since the publication of the report.
Paula Gaviria Betancur, as the UN Special Rapporteur on the human rights IDPs, provided an overview of the Mandate of the Special Rapporteur on the human rights of internally displaced persons. She discussed the thematic priorities for her three-year term which included the following four areas: 1) climate change and internal displacement, 2) peace processes, 3) internal displacement from generalized violence and 4) integration and reintegration of IDPs. She also extended a call to join forces for stronger collaboration through supporting the mandate and making internal displacement more visible to prevent the human rights of IDPs and provide humanitarian and development assistance.
Abebaw Minaye, as the IDRC Research Chair for Ethiopia, reflected on the initiatives currently in Ethiopia and their importance for the country due to its large population of IDPs (4.2 million, not including returnees). While Ethiopia has good initiatives with the priority of preventing conflict and new displacements, certain challenges exist due to a lack of a clear mandate with a coordinating body. Future direction requires a genuine political dialogue for durable solutions, as well as a clearly spelled out mandate for internally displaced persons.
Hiram Angel, as the IDRC Research Chair for Mexico, presented on the research and activities focused on understanding internal displacement in Mexico. As of December 2021, there were around 380,000 of IDPs in Mexico between the years of 2006 and 2021. While there is variation about IDP populations being more frequent in rural or urban areas, these populations exist in both areas. The work of the Chair also explored the impact of natural disasters and organized crime (cartels) on internal forced displacement demonstrating that international forced displacement is not one directional; rather diverse motivations for displacement are overlayed.
Sawsan Abdulrahim, as the IDRC Research Chair for Beirut, reflected on the Report of the Special Rapporteur and focused on two main areas: 1) IDPs versus refugees and 2) political context in Gaza. Her presentation emphasised the importance of recognizing internal displacement on a spectrum of forced displacement. Climate change, for example, starts for internal displacement and over time, can become cross-border displacement. IDPs and refugees may come from similar places and experiences. Furthermore, she highlighted the blurred line between internal displacement, cross-border displacement, ethnic cleaning and war crimes happening in Gaza.
Houwayda Matta Bou Ramia, as the IDRC Research Chair for Lebanon, discussed the challenges and strategies related to reintegration of IDPs in Lebanon focusing on the importance of sustainable partnerships for addressing these challenges. She argued that the state’s limited capacity for reception and return combined with fragmented responses from armed groups and NGOs has resulted in lack of clear strategies for reintegration and long-term stability. Her presentation concluded with a question: where local governance systems face significant gaps, how can we implement sustainable solutions for long-term stability of internally displaced population?
Connection, solidarity, exchange and collaboration are crucial, including with those who themselves have experienced displacement. This sentiment is reflected in mandate of the IDRC Research Chairs Network as the Chairs conduct research committed to contributing to discourse and amplifying the perspectives of the Global South, where the vast majority of the world’s displace persons are found.