Authors

Milana Nikolko¹;  ¹ EURUS, Carleton University, Canada

Discussion

What is the actual role of diaspora groups during crises in their home country? This proposed research captures the complex interplay between diasporas, migration governance, and the challenges brought on by crises. It highlights key themes of urgency, temporary conditions, and how diasporas adapt in response to evolving humanitarian circumstances. This research draws on prior research using theories of positionality and alignment to understand and explain processes of diaspora engagement and mobilization in Canada and the EU. 

Diaspora positionality. Ukrainian diaspora activism whether in Canada or the EU is representative of the broader set of cases within a given category. Thus, the theoretical objective in conducting this research is to contribute to a more coherent and focused understanding of the array of distinct approaches for diaspora engagement to the host country in situations of contested sovereignty, fragility crises and war back home. The Ukraine case provides an opportunity to probe, evaluate and compare the various linkages that bring home and host together to determine those factors that are most salient. Humanitarian migration governance. Research on humanitarian migration is well-established; however, new emerging forms of humanitarian migration require careful and in-depth analysis to address their evolving complexities. Reports by Falcolner (2022) and IRCC (2022) critically analyze Canadian immigration policies in the context of the Russo-Ukraine War, revealing the intricate relationship between geopolitical conflicts and migration governance. Meanwhile, Katsiaficas and Matos (2022) and Venturi and Vallianatou (2022) offer glimpses into the broader European response to the Ukrainian refugee crisis, comparing new humanitarian migration strategies of national states within the global migration discourse. Critical analyses by Nakache and Kinoshita (2010) and Triadafilopoulos (2021) delve into the ethical and human rights dimensions of current migration policies, questioning the prioritization of economic interests over humanitarian concerns. Garnier et al.'s (2022) comparative study juxtaposes Canada's response to Ukrainian refugees with its historical approaches to refugee policy, suggesting potential shifts in refugee policy paradigm.

This research aimed to examine the next core topics: how diasporas influenced the humanitarian migration policy of the host countries, to which level diaspora groups engage in policy decision making regarding the migration policies and, finally, what policy mechanisms exist for diaspora groups to help new refugees to adopt in a host country.