Episode #15 | Humanitarian Border Diplomacy
The Hague Diplomacy Podcast aims at bringing the themes of the journal's research off the page, and onto the discussion table. Each episode will feature a guest who will share their insights and personal experience within their practice of or research on diplomacy. Available via SoundCloud, Apple Podcasts and Spotify!
Inspired by the HJD paper "Everyday Migrant Accompaniment: Humanitarian Border Diplomacy" by Cristina Churruca Muguruza, host Ilen Madhavji sits down with Cristina and field practitioner Diego Fernández Maldonado (Jesuit Migrant Service) to discuss this very relevant and burgeoning corner of diplomacy. We often hear of and see the impact of crisis on migrants and refugees, but seldom are we exposed to the harsh reality of what waits for them at a border. Uncertainty, hostility, and trauma that asylum seekers face has forced humanitarian border diplomats into existence. Join us to learn why and how they represent groups of migrants in the face of state authorities and legal jeopardy. Also, we touch on the refugee crisis caused by the conflict in Ukraine, and the interesting difference in how they are treated compared to asylum seekers knocking on the EU's southern border.
After listening, if you're left with more questions than answers, or just want to say hello, please reach out to us at podcasthjd@gmail.com. We would love to hear from you!