From: hbond@vax.oxford.ac.uk
Newsgroups: soc.culture.afghanistan,soc.culture.african,soc.culture.cis
Subject: RFD : soc.forced-migration
Summary: RFD : soc.forced-migration
Date: 8 Jan 93 11:01:48 GMT
Followup-To: news.groups
Organization: Oxford University VAX 6620


                       THE REFUGEE STUDIES PROGRAMME 
                            UNIVERSITY OF OXFORD
                     PROPOSAL FOR CREATING A NEWS GROUP

                            SOC.FORCED-MIGRATION

Introduction

This new unmoderated newsgroup is proposed to encourage greater exchange of
information and to promote discussion on the problem of refugees and other
victims of forced migration/involuntary settlement, including those of
development projects which lead to their forcible uprooting.

Background

The Refugee Studies Programme (RSP), based at Queen Elizabeth House, the
University of Oxford's International Development Centre, was founded in 1982 to
pioneer the systematic, multi-disciplinary study of forced migration. 

In the last decade, the importance of forced migration as a field of study has
increasingly been recognised internationally, not only because it is one of the
critical policy issues of this and coming decades, but because of greater
awareness of its centrality to the study of social, political and economic
change. 

Since 1982 the RSP has contributed to the recognition of the study of forced
migration as a specialized and legitimate field for multi-disciplinary academic
inquiry. Its library holds the largest collection of materials in the field -
mainly unpublished - and has become an essential resource for researchers. Its
network includes human rights organizations and non- governmental humanitarian
agencies. 

The RSP publishes books including the Directory of Research on Forced Migration
and produces two periodicals: the Journal of Refugee Studies, published by
Oxford University Press, and the Newsletter of the Refugee Participation
Network, the RPN, non-copyrighted is distributed free to members. 

The RSP offers a nine month 'Foundation Course' in the study of forced
migration. Designed to be taught at the Masters' level, its objective is to
provide basic knowledge to students who intend to conduct research in this
field as well as to those whose aim is to work with refugees. 

Suggested Aims for the New Discussion Group 

1. to increase understanding of the causes, consequences and experiences  of   
forced migration worldwide; 

2. to exchange information concerning ongoing research around the world;

3. to inform the members of teaching and training opportunities;

4. to inform the members of upcoming conferences and other academic events;

5. to provide members with up-to-date information on refugee crises in their   
   respective countries;

6. to link academics from a wide variety of disciplines; 

Upcoming Events 

Short Courses: Reception and Assistance for Asylum Seekers - 22 - 26 March;
Responding to the conflict in the former Yugoslavia - 27 March; and The law of
refugee status - 15 -6 May.  

Discussion

The discussion of the newsgroup shall be open for 30-day period and all the
discussion should be carried out in news.groups. After 30 days, if a consensus
is reached a vote shall be called.