The Ibrahim Abu-Lughod Institute of International Studies Concludes the First Day of its International Conference on Palestinian Refugees

On Monday November 21, 2011, the Ibrahim Abu-Lughod Institute of International Studies concluded the first day of its international conference entitled “Palestinian Refugees: Different Generations but One Identity”. This conference addressed the issue of Palestinian refugees, taking into account their material, social, psychological and cultural conditions in a comparative context; with the aim of identifying changes over time and from one generation to another. In addition, comparative studies was presented regarding those living within and outside of refugee camps, and between regions and countries of residence, and between Palestine and other cases in the world.

The opening session included a speech presented by Dr. Munir Qazzaz, Vice President for Community Outreach at Birzeit University, who emphasized on the importance of the issue of Palestinian refugees. He also remarked that the uniqueness of this conference lies in its interdisciplinary approach to addressing a main hypothesis. Moreover, he highlighted the imperativeness of studying the different angles of Palestinian identity and claimed that, “The importance of studying Palestinian refugees’ identitylies in its shedding light on these evolutions, which are important in determining the future of these refugees and in searching for a permanent solution for their cause in the probable light of the emergence of some kind of a two-state arrangement, in which a Palestinian state may be established alongside an Israeli state, without undermining the Palestinians’ right of returning to their place of origin regardless of the political entities which might influence the possibility of practicing their rights. Therefore we hope that the intervention of this conference would be translated into realistic policies which serve the interest of the Palestinian refugee problem. Following Dr. Qazza was the director of the Ibrahim Abu-Lughod Institute of International Studies, Dr. Asem Khalil, who welcomed the speakers and audience, and gave a speech in which he explained the importance and objectives of this conference. He also presented a brief explanation about the institute, its programs and publications. Later on Filippo Grandi, Commissioner- General of the UNARWA, the keynote speaker, presented a speech entitled “Constant challenges in an evolving regional context: An UNRWA perspective on the state of Palestine refugees”. The first session was concluded by signing a memorandum of understating between Birzeit University and UNARWA which aims at promoting exchange between the two institutes.     

The second session was headed by Dr. Asem Khalil and the title of which was  “Transformation of Refugee Identity”. This session consisted of  Dr. Ilana Feldman, FOM  George Washington University, Mezna Qato, from University of Oxford, and Kristine Beckerle, from Yale Law School. Beginning with  Dr. Feldman who explained the “Palestinian Refugee Experience in a Changing Humanitarian Order” indicating how the Palestinian case is exceptional in certain ways. At the same time, this very distinction makes it an extremely useful case through which to consider the transformations in global humanitarianism over the past 60 years. She also illustrated the  longevity and these transformations to consider the impact of living, long-term, in a changing humanitarian landscape on Palestinian community and identity. On the other hand, Mezna Qato presented her research via a video conference which was entitled “Lessons in emancipation: Palestinian refugees and histories of pedagogical self-determination (1948-1958)” which aimed at deconstructing the Palestinian pedagogical system of that era. She also presented an alternative history of education for Palestinians, and called for the importance of implementing self determination form a pedagogical perspective. The session was concluded by Kristine Beckerle whose paper addressed Palestinian refugees’ rejection of victimhood, illustrating the term “justice” and “victimhood” in Palestinian refugee camps in the West Bank and Jordan.

Moreover, the third and final session entitled “Changing Perspectives of and Approaches to Palestinian Refugees” and the chairperson of which was Dr. Alex Pollock, from UNRWA. This session consisted of three academic researchers who are May Farah, from New York University, Nell Gabiam, from Iowa State University,  and  Sari Hanafi, from American University of Beirut. The papers of these speakers addressed comparative studies regarding Palestinian identity, situations and changes that have occurred over time. For instance, Dr. Gabiam discussed the phenomenon found among some refugees of moving away from existing stereotypes, such as that of the victim, and its impact on successive generations. Likewise, Dr. Farah presented a comparison between the malja refugees and those who still perceive camps as temporary refuge and thus refuse the idea of integration, and between adolescent refugees who live outside of refugee camps and who reject the idea of continued displacement and no longer hope to (or believe in a) return to Palestine. In addition, Dr. Hanafi explained the consequences of Palestinian Diaspora’s Movements during the sixty years of collective expulsion in 1948 and the various identities that emerged.

After the end of each sessions, the chairpersons would comment of the papers and would open the floor for discussion with the audience most of whom were academics and researchers interested in the case of Palestinian refugees. It is important to indicate that this conference is one of the many activities organized by the forced migration and Refugee Unit at the Ibrahim Abu Lughod Institute of International Studies, and was sponsored by the International Development Research Centre, Canada.  Also this conference was conducted for two days, and the second day included the interventions of Rosemary Sayigh, American University of Beirut, Leonardo Schiocchet, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Mahmood Miari, Birzeit University, Perla Issa, Exeter University, Sophie Richter-Devroe, Exeter University, Ruba Salih, SOAS- London, and Khaldun Bshara, Riwaq Centre.