Ruth Vollmer - Academia.edu (original) (raw)

Papers by Ruth Vollmer

This project’s approach of analysing protracted displacement through the perspectives and experie... more This project’s approach of analysing protracted displacement through the perspectives and experiences of the displaced persons themselves has proven key to understanding the actual dynamics, complexities and possible solutions to it. It uncovered and documented a wealth of different coping strategies across diverse contexts, thus providing new insights into what living in protracted displacement means for people affected by it and into which kind of support they require. The project points out new research avenues on protracted displacement, such as the impact of social relations and interactions on displaced peoples’ livelihood options—both locally and trans-locally—or the various types and patterns of mobility representing livelihood strategies of the displaced. People in protracted displacement face multiple exclusions from access to livelihood-sustaining resources and services. Such exclusions are not only layered on top of each other in terms of generalised marginalisation but ...

On 28 and 29 November 2018, BICC hosted an international conference entitled "Breaking Cycles of ... more On 28 and 29 November 2018, BICC hosted an international conference entitled "Breaking Cycles of Displacement" in Bonn. The conference presented and discussed the findings of the four-year-long comparative BICC research project "Protected rather than protracted-Strengthening Refugees and Peace" funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ). This project scrutinized opportunities for finding solutions to protracted displacement and investigated in how far the participation of displaced persons in peace processes influences the sustainability of their (re-)integration. The conference analysed commonalities and differences of protracted displacement contexts and discussed innovative conceptualisations of protracted displacement based on the project´s research approach to understand the perspectives of those concerned. Case studies from East and West Africa, South America, the Middle East and SouthEast Asia were presented, covering local (re)integration of displaced persons as well as their role in peace processes, such as in Syria, Afghanistan and Colombia. One critical outcome was that-in particular during peace negotiationsthe displaced are rarely heard. Another topic of the conference were the different coping strategies of the long-term displaced. Participants discussed factors that shape prospects for social integration, the challenge of aid dependency but also translocality and its effects on living conditions and the legal status of the displaced.

Conflict situations do not pass directly into post-conflict situations, but undergo a transition ... more Conflict situations do not pass directly into post-conflict situations, but undergo a transition without clear-cut boundaries. Consequently, the Main Findings PROTECTED RATHER THAN PROTRACTED 6 \ \ WORKING PAPER 3 \ 2015 can be included in the various stages of peace processes to make a difference. The oscillation of DPs between the statuses of IDP, refugee, returnee, or displaced returnee, has not been addressed sufficiently. Consequently, more research in this area is needed. A clarification of the link between return and peace in general could yield significant insights for practices that help end PFD. Conflict and displacement can change gender roles Women who flee without their husbands may resume more responsibilities and diversify their activities in their host communities. This might have a positive impact on the economic situation, personal freedom, and social independence of women while men may have difficulties to live up to their social role as breadwinners. This change in gender relations as well as age, i.e. the specific needs and resiliencies of elderly persons and children, both decisive factors that define the vulnerability of individuals in PFD, have to be taken into account as not to challenge the success and sustainability of reintegration.

Participation and ownership by well-trusted local partners as well as participation by the target... more Participation and ownership by well-trusted local partners as well as participation by the target groups are both vital to ensure a sustainable impact of the project. Not only state actors (both on national and sub-national levels), but also civilian non-state actors should be considered as implementing partners. Training, capacity-building and inclusion, i.e. consulting or employing people and institutions that will take over the work started by the project should be prioritised from the very beginning.

Sicherheit & Frieden, 2014

ist dieser Befund ein ethisch relevantes Ergebnis 52. Wirtschafts kriege sind also nicht nur rech... more ist dieser Befund ein ethisch relevantes Ergebnis 52. Wirtschafts kriege sind also nicht nur rechtlich verboten, sie sind auch aus ethischer Perspektive abzulehnen. 52 Zumindest hinzuweisen ist auf die Gefahr, dass eine solche Argumentation die Privatisierung und Finanzialisierung der Gewalt unterstützen könnte (vgl. dazu Erhard Eppler, Vom Gewaltmonopol zum Gewaltmarkt? Die Privatisierung und Kommerzialisierung der Gewalt, Frankfurt/Main 2002). Private Gewaltunternehmer könnten sich als Alternative zum staatlichen Gewaltmonopol profilieren und damit könnte Sicherheit von der Finanzkraft privater Akteure abhängig werden. Mit dieser Entwicklung würde das wirt schaftliche Paradigma über die Politik dominieren. Daher bleibt es Aufgabe der Politik, ihr Gewaltmonopol nicht aushöhlen zu lassen-bspw. durch klare Rahmenbedingungen. Und an wirtschaftliche Unternehmen müsste die Frage gestellt werden, ob sie sich nicht dieser Entwicklung selbst entge genstellen sollten, denn eine Schwächung des staatlichen Gewaltmonopols würde in der Folge auch die Unternehmen treffen.

… paper for the transatlantic study team on …, 2010

The paper Climate Change, Migration and Conflict: Receiving Communities under Pressure? analyze... more The paper Climate Change, Migration and Conflict: Receiving Communities under Pressure? analyzes the likely intersections between climate change, migration and conflict. The paper identifies some of the most relevant factors that might turn environmentally ...

World Water …, 2009

World Water Assessment Programme Side publications series INSIGHTS The United Nations World Water... more World Water Assessment Programme Side publications series INSIGHTS The United Nations World Water Assessment Programme Insights World Water Assessment Programme Side publications series INSIGHTS United Nations (GXFDWLRQDO 6FLHQWL¿F DQG Cultural Organization The United Nations World Water Development Report 3 Water in a Changing World Coordinated by the World Water Assessment Programme, the United Nations World Water Development Report 3: Water in a Changing World is a joint effort of the 26 United Nations agencies and entities that make up UN-Water, working in partnership with governments, international organizations, non-governmental organizations and other stakeholders. The United Nations' flagship report on water, the WWDR offers a comprehensive review of the state of the world's freshwater resources and provides decision-makers with the tools to implement sustainable use of our water. The WWDR3 represents a mechanism for monitoring changes in the resource and its management and tracking progress towards achieving international development targets. Published every three years since 2003, it offers best practices as well as in-depth theoretical analyses to help stimulate ideas and actions for better stewardship in the water sector. Water in a Changing World has benefitted from the involvement of a Technical Advisory Committee composed of members from academia, research institutions, non-governmental organizations, and public and professional organizations. To strengthen the scientific basis and potential for implementation of its recommendations, interdisciplinary expert groups were also created for a number of topics, including 'Indicators, Monitoring and Databases', 'Business, Trade, Finance and Involvement of the Private Sector', 'Policy Relevance', 'Scenarios', 'Climate Change and Water', 'Legal Issues' and 'Storage'. An accompanying case studies volume, Facing the Challenges, examines the state of water resources and national mechanisms for coping with change in 23 countries and numerous small island developing states. This series of side publications also accompany the WWDR3, providing more focused, in-depth information and scientific background knowledge, and a closer look at some less conventional water sectors. These publications include: Scientific Side Papers This series provides scientific information on subjects covered in the WWDR and serves as bridge between the WWDR3's contents and scientific, peer-reviewed publications. Sector and Topic-Specific 'Insight' Reports The reports and documents in this series will provide more in-depth information on water-related sectors, issues and topics in a stand-alone manner. Examples of the subjects of this series include Integrated Water Resources Management, transboundary issues and technology, among others. Dialogue Series Sectors and topics to which water is cross-cutting or important will be covered in this series of side publications. Some examples of subjects discussed in this collection of reports include climate change, security, biodiversity, poverty alleviation and land use.

This paper analyzes the likely intersections between climate change, migration and conflict. The ... more This paper analyzes the likely intersections between climate change, migration and conflict. The paper identifies some of the most relevant factors that might turn envi- ronmentally induced migration into a source of conflict and hold major implications for receiving areas. Scientific literature is still inconclusive about the conflict potential of environ - mentally induced in-migration and the mechanisms potentially linking it to conflict onset. In general, such mecha - nisms tend to apply more often in cases of conflict induced as opposed to environmentally induced migration. In a possible chain of events leading from environmentally induced migration to conflict in a receiving area, a host of other factors comes into play, including the causes and type of migration and responses to and perceptions of migra- tion. The impacts of current and future climate trends are likely to increase the pressures that trigger environmen- tally induced distress migration and migration as a means...

Sicherheit & Frieden, 2014

… paper for the transatlantic study team on …, 2010

World Water …, 2009