European-Arab Decentralized and Non-Governmental Cooperation Programs as a Forced Migration Response Mechanism: A Case Study of "Mediterranean Refugees and Host Communities Program"

This study examines the ability of European-Arab decentralized cooperation programs to respond to the current refugee crisis and to coordinate the interventions of various actors. The study seeks to understand the inherent and emerging characteristics of the refugee phenomenon that make it a subject of decentralized cooperation before turning to look at the different theoretical and practical contributions of this form of cooperation. It examines Refugee and Mediterranean Host Cities Program, which targets countries and cities in the Middle East and Turkey. The results of the study show that decentralized Euro-Arab cooperation can constitute an integrated framework for humanitarian and development interventions that adapt and respond to the needs of both refugees and host communities. This can be achieved by networking between various actors; opening channels of coordination and training; and exchanging resources, knowledge and experience. These programs should be designed and implemented in consultation with various stakeholders and in coordination with other programs and interventions, far removed from political and strategic agendas that exist at the expense of refugees, host countries and cities.

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Abstract

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This study examines the ability of European-Arab decentralized cooperation programs to respond to the current refugee crisis and to coordinate the interventions of various actors. The study seeks to understand the inherent and emerging characteristics of the refugee phenomenon that make it a subject of decentralized cooperation before turning to look at the different theoretical and practical contributions of this form of cooperation. It examines Refugee and Mediterranean Host Cities Program, which targets countries and cities in the Middle East and Turkey. The results of the study show that decentralized Euro-Arab cooperation can constitute an integrated framework for humanitarian and development interventions that adapt and respond to the needs of both refugees and host communities. This can be achieved by networking between various actors; opening channels of coordination and training; and exchanging resources, knowledge and experience. These programs should be designed and implemented in consultation with various stakeholders and in coordination with other programs and interventions, far removed from political and strategic agendas that exist at the expense of refugees, host countries and cities.

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