In an increasingly globalized world, displacement, migration, and (im)mobility are a socio-political phenomenon that countries must respond and adapt to. Displacement, both cross-border and internal, due to conflict, climate and environmental change, as well as economic shocks are part of global human mobility, presenting unique challenges to social cohesion in communities hosting displaced people, particularly given how fraught the politics of displacement can be. Social cohesion is increasingly recognized as an important condition for the stability of societies and the wellbeing of its members. In a world where this ‘glue’ that holds societies together is challenged by a multitude of factors, including rising inequality and discontent with public institutions, it is of utmost importance to understand the mechanisms and determinants of social cohesion. Displacement presents a particular challenge for societies’ cohesiveness.  Hence, finding avenues how host countries and communities can support and increase social cohesion in response to displacement, they will be better prepared to respond to future environmental, political, and economic shocks.

This project aims to answer the question: How is social cohesion affected in different contexts of displacement where there is wide demographic, cultural, religious, and political diversity? With regard to different, interlocking forms of displacement, the project takes a broad approach by examining different types of displacement, from conflict, to environmental, and economic stressors. While the focus of the project is on international displacement, several of the countries of research are experiencing internal displacement and the project will acknowledge this. In all cases, the role of local (municipal/regional) actors will be of particular importance. When we think about social cohesion as the desired outcome in communities hosting displaced people, it is important to understand host communities’ openness to displaced people. Climate and environmental change, violent conflict, and economic shocks are all reasons to move to a new place, but social cohesion is also a function of how host communities understand these processes of displacement and feel solidarity with migrants and displaced people themselves. National and community-level histories, including the effects of colonialism, and cultures of human mobility, play a significant role in setting the conditions for social cohesion in displacement contexts.

These long-term processes shape the degree to which national and local identity is inclusive, how the concept of common good is locally understood, and how displaced people and host communities have built mutual trust. Because national and local definitions of common good, trust, and identity are shaped iteratively over time, the historical context is an important starting point for understanding how and why contemporary processes of social cohesion in displacement contexts take place the way they do. This also helps us understand how and why the political interest to integrate displaced people into host communities manifests, and what this means for both theoretical and practical matters of social cohesion in displacement contexts. On the other hand, displaced populations are a heterogeneous group who vary in their willingness and openness to integrate into the hosting society. Demographic factors, past historical ties and narratives are just some of the factors likely to influence conditions of social cohesion.

Grounded in an understanding of history and national context, the project examines the contemporary mechanisms that influence social cohesion in communities hosting displaced people. These mechanisms are also the project’s key link to policy advice, since on-the-ground research will shed light on how access to services like social safety nets, public resources like education and healthcare, participation in political, cultural and social activities, and networks of communication and information-sharing influence social cohesion in communities hosting displaced people.