New book: Refuge by Alexander Betts and Paul Collier
A new book offering an innovative approach to transforming the refugee system by Professors Alexander Betts and Paul Collier was published on 30 March by Penguin imprint Allen Lane.
Europe is facing its greatest refugee crisis since the Second World War, yet the institutions responding to it remain virtually unchanged from those created in the post-war era. As neighbouring countries continue to bear the brunt of the Syrian catastrophe, European governments have enacted a series of ill-considered gestures, from shutting their borders to welcoming refugees without a plan for their safe passage or integration upon arrival. With a deepening crisis and a xenophobic backlash in Europe, it is time for a new vision for refuge.
Going beyond the scenes of desperation which have become all-too-familiar in the past few years, Refuge - Transforming a Broken Refugee System show that this crisis offers an opportunity for reform if international policy-makers focus on delivering humane, effective and sustainable outcomes - both for Europe and for countries that border conflict zones. Refugees need more than simply food, tents and blankets, and research demonstrates that they can offer tangible economic benefits to their adopted countries if given the right to work and education.
Refuge sets out an alternative vision that can empower refugees to help themselves, contribute to their host societies, and even rebuild their countries of origin.
Alexander Betts is Director of the Refugee Studies Centre (RSC) at ODID. Paul Collier is Professor of Economics and Public Policy at the Blavatnik School of Government.
Read some of the extensive media coverage so far:
- Guardian long read: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/mar/22/why-denying-refugees-the-right-to-work-is-a-catastrophic-error
- Reviewed in the Sunday Times: https://t.co/PZ9BOaJaSH
- Reviewed in th Evening Standard: http://www.standard.co.uk/lifestyle/books/refuge-transforming-a-broken-refugee-system-by-alexander-betts-and-paul-collier-review-a3502846.html
- Reviewed in Standpoint: http://standpointmag.co.uk/books-april-2017-david-goodhart-refuge-alexander-betts-paul-collier
- On CCN's Amanpour: http://edition.cnn.com/videos/tv/2017/03/28/amanpour-betts-collier-refugee-interview.cnn
- On BBC Asian Network's Big Debate: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b08jfc4h#play
- On BBC Radio 4's Start the Week: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b08k19m6
- In The Spectator: https://www.spectator.co.uk/2017/03/why-camps-are-the-wrong-way-to-help-todays-refugees/#
- In iNews: https://inews.co.uk/explainers/iq/ten-point-plan-fix-world-refugee-system/
- At the Blavatnik School of Government: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zD-JzA_C6m8&feature=youtu.be