Quest for Refuge – Reception Responses From the Global North

How have countries in the Global North responded to the quest for refuge? This collection of chapters articulates diverse scales of analysis across international geographies (Australia, Canada, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, USA) drawn from different disciplinary perspectives (anthropology, geography, social work, sociology) in order to bring to light the complexities of refugee settlement and integration. The authors address time-old questions in refugee studies, the urgency of which has not diminished: how is the distinction between migrant and refugee enshrined in law and played out in practice?

In what ways can local communities become involved in welcoming refugees? How to avoid a slippery slope towards humanitarian charity-based approaches instead of rights-based approaches towards international protection? What kind of balance needs to be found between state, private and third sector provision of services for refugees? How can refugee reception systems be improved to meet their needs?