Home Thoughts from Abroad: Diasporas and Peace-Building in Northern Ireland and Sri Lanka

Abstract

This article looks at the dynamics of Diaspora groups as a possible catalyst for peacebuilding within violent segmented societies. With the help of two case studies, IrishAmerica's role in Northern Ireland and Sri Lankan Tamil Diaspora's role in Sri Lanka, it locates the variable impacts of Diaspora involvement in violent conflicts within their homelands. Despite their unique histories and individual complexity, both of these cases illustrate that Diasporas have a significant role to play in peace-building, are diverse rather than homogenous communities, and that they represent an important and often underutilized resource to bring negotiated settlement to violent conflicts.This article examines the dynamics of Diaspora communities as possible catalysts for peace-building within violently divided societies. Migration before, during, and in the aftermath of political conflict raises an important question for scholars and policymakers who seek to understand such regions and take action to manage or transform the political violence within them. To what extent do these Diaspora populations take an interest in the homeland and seek to influence the political process there by either fueling conflict or

Diaspora Institutions and Diaspora Governance

“…Exile fosters nationalism, creating both threats and opportunities for origin states. Diaspora groups may include both stirrers and healers of conflict, as noted in research on Sri Lanka, Northern Ireland, Afghanistan, Liberia, Iraq, and a range of other wars (Shain and Barth, ; Vertovec, ; Kapur, ; Brinkerhoff, ; Kerlin, ; Lubkemann, ; Orjuela, ; Cochrane, Baser, and Swain, :698; Laffey and Nadarajah, ). Origin states may cultivate diaspora allies willing to sacrifice for the homeland or alternatively run interference against diaspora groups defined by traumatic dispersion and pitted against old foes in power at home ( see Skrbiš, ; Glick‐Schiller and Fouron, ; Anderson, ; Shain, ; Koser, ; Collier and Hoeffler, :575; Demmers, , 15; Koinova, ).…”

Diasporas and conflicts – understanding the nexus

“…Diasporas originating from conflict areas have also been shown to participate in post-conflict stabilization and development plans, and multiple policy schemes have been set up to harness their good will (Féron 2014;Horst et al 2010). In certain cases such as the one of the Irish Americans, diasporas' backing 'for peace' has been much more significant than their contributions to conflict activities 'back home', but has attracted much less media, policy and academic attention (Cochrane, Baser, and Swain 2009).…”

Forced Migration, Diaspora Politics and Extremism: Conceptual, Policy and Operational Implications with a Focus on the United Kingdom

“…In the migration and refugee studies literature, however, the role of diasporas as peacemakers and agents promoting post-conflict rebuilding is more widely discussed (Baser and Swain, 2008: 11). The literature highlights diaspora members, often working through nongovernmental organisations, lobbying international institutions and host governments to seek political settlements to conflict, and directing aid towards humanitarian and reconstruction programmes (Cochrane, Baser and Swain 2009;Hall and Swain 2007;Hess and Korf 2014;Østergaard-Nielsen 2006). Overseas nationals, many college educated with liberal-cosmopolitan values (Werbner, 2002: 120), return to their countries of origin to take up political positions, or to advise on constitutional, development or transitional justice mechanisms (Hall and Swain 2007: 119;Brun and Van Hear 2012;Hess and Korf 2014;Vimalarajah and Cheran 2010).…”