Desk Study: Peace Migration Nexus

This desk study provides an overview of the limited literature and debates on the interdependencies between violent conflict, migration and peace, as well as the resulting implications for peacebuilding. Thereby, it contributes to a better understanding of the potentials and limitations of conflict-induced migration for peacebuilding. Despite an increasing awareness for long-term consequences of migration, international and national (im) migration policies and measures tend to focus on short-term results, or 'fixing the problem'. The resulting pre-dominant perception in politics, media and society is that migration is temporary and undesired. The study shows that the lack of a view for the longer term is problematic and has implications for local, regional and international peace and stability. Thus, there is a need to deepen the understanding of the links between peacebuilding and conflict-induced migration, in order to prevent violent conflicts and ensure peace and stability. With its holistic and conflict-sensitive lens, peacebuilding adds a valuable dimension to migration research and practice and contributes towards comprehensive approaches in migration governance. However, the study finds that conflict-induced migration and its nexus with peace and peacebuilding remains underexplored.  An enhanced understanding of the nexus between peace and migration and a subsequent well-adapted and effective implementation of peacebuilding instruments in all phases of forced migration increases the profile of peacebuilding. An in-depth knowledge of causes, drivers and dynamics of migration, in particular conflict-induced migration, as well as processes of migration governance add value to peacebuilding by enhancing the understanding of the links between conflict, peace and migration. The latter is relevant to inform peacebuilding tools and methods. Particularly with regard to conflict prevention and the involvement of returning refugees, IDPs and migrants in peace and dealing with the past processes, peacebuilding offers many potentials and, therefore, is essential to migration governance.