The Price of Indifference - Refugees and Humanitarian Action in the New Century

The Price of Indifference - Refugees and Humanitarian Action in the New Century

Description: "This new and highly original book examines one of the most pressing issues facing the international community today - the issue of refugees. The author provides a very clear review of humanitarian action over the past decade, focusing his analysis on foced displacement and on the role of the United Nations. Mr. Helton not only asks important questions, but also makes ambitious policy recommendations. His book is a welcome contribution to the debate on humanitarian action, and will undoubtedly help us to manage humanitarian challenges better in the future. Kofi Annan, United Nations Secretary-General This book is required reading for anybody who worries about making our world more stable and secure by addressing the plight of 35 million refugees and displaced people. Arthur Helton makes a compelling case that the world can - and must - do a better job of dealing with displaced populations. Kenneth H. Bacon, President, Refugees International, and Former Pentagon Spokesman This is an important book which shows how critical the refugee issue is in the conduct of foreign policy. The refugee problem is often ignored by decision makers. But, as this book shows, most recent international crises have featured refugees. Poliy makers should heed Arthur Helton's recommendations and address refugee issues, if they are serious about peacemaking. Richard C. Holbrooke, Vice Chairman, Perseus, LLC, and Former U.S. Representative to the United Nations Forced displacement has figured prominently in world politics during the last decade and has been one of the triggers for interventions by the UN Security Council, NATO and other regional organizations, and individual states. The Price of Indifference examines the lessons learned from these events with a view towards imporiving the operational effectiveness of future responses to forcible displacements. Arhtur Helton not only provides a detailed analysis of past polciy approaches but also offers a range of policy recommendations for the future with an emphasis on preventive comprehensive measures. This book is invaluable for scholars, policymakers and practitioners alike. Professor Gil Loescher, Author, The UNHCR and WOrld Politics: A Perilous Path This is a monumental work which provides an extraordinary amount of information on refugees, conflict prevention, humanitarian policy, international law, and international organizations. The historical and analytical material, interspersed with first hand observations, makes for lively and engaging reading. The number of policy recommendations is staggering. It is a policy-oriented text which deserves careful reading and re-reading, and one of the best I have ever read. Princeton N. Lyman, Executive Director, Global Interdependence Initiative, The Aspen Institute, and Former Director, Bureau for Refugee Programs, U.S. Department of State Arthur Helton has completed a monumental task of compiling information on and describing the major refugee and internally displaced problems of the past decade. Standing alone, this research would be very useful background for academics and policy makers. However, Arthur has gone furhter to examine how conflict prevention or resolution, are linked to refugees and IDP's. Moreover, he has come up with some interesting ideas on how one can better deal iwth refugee problems and related issues of conflict prevention/resolution. Robert B. Oakley, Distinguished Visiting Fellow and Director, Peacekeeping Operations, Institute for National Strategic Studies, National Defence University, and Former U.S. Ambassador to Pakistan, Somalia and Zaire Masterfully written and innovative, Arthur Helton's book offers a most comprehensive and insightful treatment of refugee issues. This work is a splendid combination of the author's solid academic judgement and his practical familiarity with the subject. Sadako Ogata, Resident Scholar, Ford Foundation, Co-Chair, International Human Security Commission, and Former United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees " Auhor: Arthur C. Helton, Senior Fellow for Refugee Studies and Preventive Action, Council on Foreign Relations, New York Due for publication May 2002 ISBN: 0-19-925031-6

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