International Development Research Center (IDRC)

IDRC has supported the establishment of 12 research chairs in the global south. Four in Sub Sahara Africa (Ethiopia, Tanzania, Ghana, Burkina Faso) three in the Middle east and North Africa (two in Lebanon one in Morocco), Three in Latin America (Mexico, Peru, Dominican Republic) and two in South and South East Asia (Two Institutes in Thailand). IDRC’s prime interest in this connection is localizing knowledge production that is context specific and bring up southern perspectives in the understanding, policy landscape and practice related to forced displacement. The AAU research chair is established with the financial support of IDRC. IDRC is also supporting and connecting these twelve chairs through a network approach so that the chairs will be successful at individual, regional and global contribution in forced displacement knowledge production. For example, it is bringing the twelve chairs together in different regions so far four platforms were created. First, a launching workshop where all chairs attended was held at Dar Es Salaam. Second, a Southern Summit on Climate Migration was held at Morocco, Rabat where half of the chairs attended. Third, a Forum on Migration, Forced Displacement, Refuge and Rights of People in Situations of Mobility was held at Mexico, Guadalajara where some of the chairs attended. Fourth, was the Global Refugee Forum, held at Switzerland, Geneva. AAU research chair will be working collaboratively with IDRC in all its efforts.