ISS: Diaspora humanitarianism – Peacebuilding across borders

Overview

During this Hum-Gov seminar, Emmanuel Viga will present his research on peacebuilding and conflict resolution activities by refugees living in the Bidibidi refugee settlement in the Yumbe district of Uganda.

Refugees are often painted as vulnerable and lacking agency in policy debates, and so are often considered as passive recipients of peace initiatives. Emmanuel Viga’s research looks to reframe this understanding, and analyses refugees’ roles as active peacebuilders and agents in conflict resolution. 

Dr Awil Mohamoud, Director of the African Diaspora Policy Centre (ADPC), based in The Hague, will give a reflection on Viga’s presentation, linking it to the ADPC’s research on wider-spread African diasporas, their role in humanitarian action, and influences and linkages between countries of origin and home countries.

The presentation and reflection will be followed by a Q&A.

Speaker bio

Emmanuel Viga is a PhD candidate at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim. He is currently writing a dissertation on civic humanitarianism and sociocultural aid practices amongst South Sudanese refugees in Uganda.