International norm diffusion? Durable solutions and displaced persons from post-war Bosnia and Herzegovina – 2000-2010.

Abstract

The key aim in this study is to investigate the linkages, synergies and misalignments between the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees’ (UNHCR) ‘top-down’ policy development in relation to the specific case on durable solutions with a detailed exploration of the ‘bottom-up’ views of actual refugees and displaced migrants. Put simply the aim is to provide more detailed insight into whether the ‘top-down’ policy initiatives of UNHCR also take into account and are synergised with ‘bottom-up’ approaches and concepts of the actual refuges. By taking this approach, the thesis argues that if we are to meet the growing challenges of today, then there is a need to have very clear assessments of the performance of ‘top-down’ policy initiatives established by UNHCR and, in particular, in relation to the past and present approaches to durable solutions. Here the focus should be on not just establishing and outlining UNHCR’s awareness of the perceptions, interests, and perceived predicaments of displaced people, but also actually on emphasising a focus that seeks to identify and address any misalignments between the top-down policy development of UNHCR and the real-time ‘bottom-up’ perspectives of the refugees. This is especially important since refugee groups have – in practice – significant political capacity and considerable interest in shaping durable solutions to suit their needs. However, this thesis also argues that evidence suggests that there is – at present - insufficient awareness among refugees on how the development of policy themes at UNHCR level are actually informed by the ‘bottom-up’ refugee perspectives and norm diffusion. Furthermore, on this basis, there are notable asymmetries between the ‘top-down’ policy development of UNHCR and the actual ‘bottom-up’ perspectives of refugees that can explain why aspects of UNHCR’s durable solutions continue to be controversial and not always that successful.