The UNHCR and World Politics: A Perilous Path
0
0
As an Amazon Associate and affiliate partner, Menrva Books earns from qualifying purchases. Learn more
Author Description
Over fifty years ago, governments established the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) to be a human rights and advocacy organization. This is the first independent history of this highly important establishment. Gil Loescher, one of the world's leading experts on refugee affairs, draws upon decades of personal experience and research to examine the origins and evolution of the UNHCR, identifying many of the major challenges facing the organization in the years ahead. A key focus is the extent to which the evolution of the UNHCR has been framed by the crucial events of international politics during the past half century and how, in turn, the actions of the eight past High Commissioners have helped shape the course of world history. In the end, Loescher offers a series of bold policy recommendations aimed at making the agency a more effective and accountable advocate for the millions of refugees in the world today.
Menrva's Summary
THE THESIS
This work investigates how the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has navigated the complex intersection of humanitarian advocacy and the shifting landscape of global politics over the last fifty years. Gil Loescher, a recognized authority on refugee affairs, utilizes extensive research and personal experience to trace the agency's institutional development. He argues that the UNHCR's trajectory is inextricably linked to major international events and the individual leadership styles of its eight past High Commissioners. The text concludes by proposing specific policy reforms intended to enhance the agency's efficacy and accountability in addressing the global refugee crisis.
THE SCOPE MAP
What You Will Find
- A comprehensive historical account of the UNHCR from its inception to the early 21st century.
- Analysis of the influence exerted by the eight past High Commissioners on organizational policy.
- Evaluation of the interplay between international political events and humanitarian mandates.
- Policy recommendations for improving agency effectiveness and accountability.
THE AUTHORITY PERSPECTIVE
Experts and scholars in international relations frequently cite this work as a foundational text for understanding the institutional history of the UNHCR. Readers often note the academic rigor and the depth of the author's analysis regarding the political constraints faced by humanitarian organizations.
Page Count:
448
Publication Date:
2001-10-18
Publisher:
Oxford University Press
ISBN-10:
0198297165
ISBN-13:
9780198297161
Non-Fiction
History
Government Policy
International relations
Human rights
