Declaration of The Hague on the Future of Refugee and Migration Policy
THP/UNESCO HANDBOOK VERSION 1.0

 PEOPLE ON THE MOVE:HANDBOOK OF SELECTED TERMS AND CONCEPTS

Because words matter

Migration has moved high on the international agenda; it is now the focus of sensitive debates and growing media attention in a variety of contexts. Intense interest is shown in specific issues which have only emerged fully in recent years: the situation of internally displaced persons, the dynamics of a `migration-development nexus’, or the consequences of environmental change on human displacement. Meanwhile, the future of international refugee protection and standards of national asylum policies appears fragile and uncertain. An extensive terminology has evolved to cover standing and emerging issues as they also relate to the larger fields of human rights and development. This handbook takes stock of the present use of some selected terms and concepts. It is designed to be accessible to a general public which may not be familiar with the detailed discussions in the field of refugee and migration policy. Elaborated in cooperation with international experts, it is intended to contribute to greater precision and accuracy in language and discourse on the part of all stakeholders. It does not claim to be exhaustive or definitive. It is in that sense an effort to raise awareness and to facilitate a transparent debate and a step toward consensus, in line with the larger missions of THP and UNESCO. Where misrepresentations are detrimental to an adequate international dialogue, it should provide useful orientation. The Handbook remains work in progress. We welcome your comments and suggestions and hope that this initial edition will be a useful resource for you and/or your organisation.

The Hague / Paris, July 2008 The Hague Process on Refugees and Migration (THP Foundation) UNESCO Section on International Migration and Multicultural Policies