Survival Migration: Old Institutions and New Challenges
The Strauss Center welcomed Alexander Betts of Oxford University on October 21 to discuss the challenges presented by what he terms “survival migration.”¬ù As new drivers of external displacement have emerged”from environmental change and livelihood collapse to state fragility”migration stemming from these events falls outside the existing refuge regime.
Dr. Betts defined the term “refugee”¬ù by citing the 1951 Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees, which was drafted in response to European displacement following World War II and provides protection mainly to those fleeing individualized persecution or generalized violence. Dr. Betts asserted that many migrants in recent history are now motivated by survival issues that fall outside of this definition, as their grievances represent violations of economic and social rights. He terms this new pattern “survival migration.”¬ù
Dr. Betts explains the concept of survival migration.
 
Dr. Betts chose six case studies to examine the responses of states and international organizations to survival migrants. These included:
- Zimbabweans in South Africa and Botswana,
- Congolese from the Democratic Republic of Congo in Angola and Tanzania, and
- Somalis in Kenya and Yemen.
In these cases, the national and international responses ranged from systematic rights violations, to refusals to grant formal status and thus economic and social rights, to recognitions of formal refugee status and the rights that accompany this designation.
The responses varied, Dr. Betts explained, due to domestic politics that define how international rules are applied and incentives that determine how ambiguous norms are implemented. He recommended a clarification of norms as well as greater inter-agency coordination at the international level.
Questions from the audience addressed how domestic resource limitations, competing priorities, international capacity, and even the size and rate of refugee flows can impact state and international responses. Audience questions also discussed differences in political and economic responses at the state level, as well as normative and legal approaches at the international level.
Dr. Betts is the Hedley Bull Research Fellow in International Relations at the University of Oxford, the Director of the MacArthur Foundation-funded Global Migration Governance project, and a Fellow of Wadham College.
Watch the full presentation below: 
