Peace Review

Migration, Identity, and Belonging

Migration, regardless of whether forced or voluntary, outbound or inbound, formal or irregular, is a major determinant of identity, sense of belonging and relevant to discourses of peace and justice. This is especially the case during times when governments, such as the US, and even citizen groups such as March and March in South Africa, demand forced removal and repatriation of migrants, including those who fled their homes in fear or were brought to where they currently live when they were very young. It is always crucial to remember that migrants, refugees and asylum seekers build community, mobilize and organize for justice and wellbeing, create homes whether they are perceived as belonging or not, and build solidarity across borders against many odds. Many factors inform immigrants identity formation, collective resistance as well as their contributions to peacebuilding, conflict transformation, movement building, and mutual support. The purpose of this special issue is to explore practical, theoretical and policy issues pertaining to immigration, identity and belonging in various contexts, countries and environments. We encourage essays using a variety of inquiry/scholarly and practice approaches that are informed by or seeking to respond to, but not necessarily limited to, the following questions:    

• ·       How does displacement inform and reshape who we are and who we become?
• ·       What does belonging mean when "home" implies multiple meanings, locations, or becomes inaccessible?
• ·       How do migrants and refugees build peace in circumstances where the systems meant to protect them are the ones doing harm?
• ·       And what can be learned from communities who have survived under dire circumstances?
• ·       What are some emerging best practices for responding to and/or serving migrants in various situations?