Displaced Syrians and the Global Compact on Refugees | Workshop Statement

On 6-7 December 2022, a workshop titled ‘Exiles, Migrants, and Refugees from Syria’ was held at The Institute, New York University in Abu Dhabi, convened by Professor Dawn Chatty. This workshop brought together researchers, policy makers, and practitioners from inter-governmental and non-governmental organisations to examine how the Global Compact on Refugees addresses the concerns and aspirations of those displaced from Syria. It examined how policy makers, practitioners, and academic researchers situate themselves in relation to the Global Compact on Refugees and other critical humanitarian issues, thus bringing an interdisciplinary focus on to the Global Compact on Refugees (2018) and the forced displacement of more than 6 million Syrians since 2011.

Participants of the workshop have published a Statement based on their discussions. Key points include that findings of academic research do not always reach practitioners and decision-makers; that many researchers do not view the Global Compact on Refugees (GCR) positively, and practitioners also do not regard the GCR as a ‘game changer’; and that researchers and practitioners do not always have a clear understanding of each other’s roles.

The participants outline a number of recommendations within the Statement.

Read the Workshop Statement here.