Track Two: Refugees, Conflict & Conflict Resolution

Published from 1992 to 2005, Track Two was a quarterly publication of the Centre for Conflict Resolution (CCR) that was designed to promote innovative and constructive approaches to community and political conflict, as an alternative to traditional adversarial tactics.

The issue being summarised here (Vol. 9 No. 3) focuses on the problems and conflicts associated with refugee communities. It contains 9 articles that discuss challenges that the protection of refugees presents to states and other actors across Africa. In addition to the imperative of addressing the conflicts that give rise to refugees in the first instance, the publishers emphasise the urgent need to manage the many problems associated with asylum.

Specifically, "This issue of Track Two discusses such conflicts in Africa. For example, Jean-Francois Durieux highlights the dangers associated with the militarisation of refugee camps in Tanzania. Nevertheless, Michael Barutscki's article on 'Refugee Camps and Repatriation in Europe' indicates that these problems are a global phenomenon. Closer to home, Vincent Williams looks at the progressive new legislation in South Africa for asylum seekers and refugees, but also notes the harsh reality of xenophobia which most African refugees experience in South Africa. This theme is continued by Pravashini Naicker and Roshila Nair who consider the kinds of conflicts experienced by refugees in the Western Cape and their use of conflict resolution skills. Nahla Valji discusses the gendered nature of persecution of refugee women and argues for gender sensitive attitudes and training for those dealing with asylum seekers. Lee Anne de la Hunt and Helen Moffett provide a useful set of practical directives for South African Immigration officials in this regard."

Topics include:

• Hope for Africa's Refugees and Internally Displaced Persons?
• In Need of Protection - Good Policy versus Harsh Reality for Refugees in South Africa
• To be a Refugee in South Africa
• Seeing Refugee Women as Refugees
• Skills Slot - Gender Awareness Training Directives for South African Immigration Officials
• Preserving the Civilian Character of Refugee Camps
• The Need for Pragmatic Approaches to Refugee Situations that Pose a Threat to National Security
• Does Refugee Protection in Africa Need Mediation?
• No Refuge from Conflict - A conflict resolution perspective on the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)

Click here to access back issues of Track Two, and to inquire about obtaining printed copies.

Click here to access CCR's online Peace Library.