Navigating Migration: Impact of Civil Society Organisations and International Organisation’s Movement in the Levant- By Amelia Connor-Afflick

The Levant, a region historically rich in culture and history, has witnessed significant shifts in its civil society landscape, marked by waves of migration among local Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) to the global north and the relocation of International Organisations (IOs) to the global south. These Asfari Foundation undertook research to understand these trends, and published its findings in a paper entitled, Migration Trends of Local Civil Society Organisations and International Organisations in the Levant, to shed light on the challenges, resilience, and long-term impacts on the fight for democracy and human rights in the region. 

Local Civil Society Organisations: Two Waves of Migration 

The paper outlines two distinct waves of migration among local CSOs in the Levant. The first wave emerged as actors working on democracy building and human rights faced heightened threats in their home countries, particularly in Syria with the onset of conflict in 2011. Death threats, arrests, and the closure of CSO offices forced these actors into the diaspora, often seeking refuge in Turkey. 

The diaspora initially provided a safer haven, allowing for the freedom to associate, assemble, and register CSOs. However, this sanctuary was short-lived as increased crackdowns in Turkey by 2018 prompted a second wave of migration, this time towards Europe. Push factors, including forced closures, threats, and harassment by authorities, were the main drivers of the migration meanwhile attractive pull factors contributed to the decision to relocate to European countries. Places such as France and Germany offered the liberal freedoms necessary to register a CSO without fear of repression. 

A striking finding in these migration patterns is the strategic approach taken by CSOs. While management functions migrated, the core teams remained as close to their native countries as possible. This delicate balance allowed CSOs to continue their operations on the ground, for example uncovering evidence of human rights atrocities, while navigating the challenges of repression. 

International Organisations: A Shift to the Global South 

Simultaneously there has been an uptake in IOs registering in the Levant. The migration of IOs to the global south started in the 1990s and was motivated by a desire for increased accountability and to bridge the gap between themselves and local communities. Notable organisations like Action Aid and Oxfam played a pivotal role in driving this trend. 

The motivations behind IOs' relocation included concerns about credibility and accountability, improved operational efficiency by being closer to contextual realities, access to locally available funds, and alignment with a shift away from the North-South resource transfer model. For example, The Charter 4 Change initiative advocated for more locally led responses. 

Despite the positive impact of IOs in supporting local civil society in the region and providing critical humanitarian relief, challenges have emerged. Their presence has resulted in funding disparities from donors compared to CSOs, talent drain, as well as resource dependency on IOs. Consequently, the paper emphasises the need for IOs to acknowledge the power and capabilities of CSOs and prioritise long-term humanitarian agendas alongside short-term efforts. 

Humanitarian Focus: Striking a Balance 

The humanitarian focus of IOs, while crucial in addressing immediate crises, has raised concerns. Short-term efforts have often taken precedence over democracy and human rights building. This focus has fallen short in addressing external factors contributing to migration, including macroeconomic issues and ad-hoc deportation measures in host countries. 

Migrants, facing disenfranchisement in host countries, encounter challenges in participating in civil society and democracy-building efforts for their home countries. The humanitarian-centric approach has also led to a perception of aid dependency and questioned the legitimacy of IOs in addressing deeper structural issues. 

Recommendations for a Collaborative Future 

The paper concludes with a set of recommendations to address the challenges posed by migration trends: 

1. Provide Migrants with a Voice: Encourage spaces for CSO independence and ensure migrants have a seat at decision-making tables. 

2. Independent Review of Aid Architecture: Conduct an unbiased review to enhance coordination between IOs and CSOs, promoting collaboration on an equal playing field. 

3. South-South Cooperation: Explore collaborative efforts among countries in the global south to empower local voices and avoid dominance by global north narratives. 

4. Prioritise Long-Term Humanitarian Agendas: Acknowledge and address structural issues contributing to crises, prioritising long-term efforts alongside immediate humanitarian responses. 

5. Balance Focus on Democracy and Human Rights: Encourage IOs to focus not only on short-term humanitarian efforts but also on democracy and human rights building. 

Conclusion: A Call for Collaborative Resilience 

The migration patterns observed in the Levant reflect a longer-standing trend of IOs registering in the global south for credibility purposes. Despite the challenges, the resilience of Levantine CSOs is evident in their strategic approach to migration, with management relocating while core teams remain close to their native countries. 

The paper stresses the need for collaboration on an equal footing between IOs and CSOs to safeguard the future of civic space in the Levant. It also calls for further research to delve into interconnected issues, such as the role of donors, the reality of Levantine CSOs in Europe, the voices of migrants, and the broader repressive environment. 

In navigating these challenges, the Levant stands at a crossroads, urging stakeholders to work collaboratively towards a future where civil society thrives, democracy prevails, and human rights are upheld. The findings in this paper hope to serve as a catalyst for continued dialogue, understanding, and action to ensure the vibrancy and resilience of the region's civil society in the face of adversity.