Social Science Research Council

On June 13, 2003, the GSC Program continued its series on International Law and International Relations by hosting a workshop dealing with the issue of Internally Displaced Persons. The program of this third workshop featured an exceptional opportunity to learn from and challenge Francis Deng, the UN Secretary-General's Special Representative on IDPs. Having held this position since 1992, Dr. Deng was one the principle drafters of the Guiding Principles on Internal Displacement and has led the initiative to see its implementation at the international, regional and national levels. This case study proved to be extremely helpful in further elucidating the theoretical debate on the role of norms and norm-building in international relations. Dr. Deng welcomed the opportunity to discuss what has been achieved so far, and to examine issues such as how global norms are created; the relationship between norms and law; sovereignty and global norms; and the viability of international organizations as purveyors of norms and law.

Participants

Francis Deng (speaker)
Johns Hopkins University - SAIS

Howard Adelman
York University

Roberta Cohen
Brookings Institution

Josh deWind
Social Science Research Council

Arthur Helton (discussant)
Council on Foreign Relations

Walter Kaelin
Bern University

Maureen Lynch
Refugees International

Tara Magner
Senate Judiciary Committee

Susan F. Martin
Institute for the Study of International Migration

Kathleen Newland
Migration Policy Institute

Susan Woodward (discussant)
City University of New York

CORE GROUP

Clarence Dias
United Nations

Martha Finnemore
George Washington University

Sally Falk Moore
Harvard University

Peter Spiro
Hofstra University Law School