Thank you, Chair and subcommittee members, for inviting us to appear.
One in every 70 people on earth is impacted by displacement. The Global Centre for Pluralism is not an operational, humanitarian or settlement agency. Our testimony therefore focuses on addressing causes of displacement, the challenges in societies in which refugees are settling and tools to help prevent and resolve conflicts. These things can enable return, stem the displacement and better equip societies to welcome displaced persons for all to thrive.
Our research shows that conflict, persecution and instability, key drivers of displacement, arise when societies see diversity as a threat and pluralism has broken down. These harms fall most on marginalized communities, but over time they weaken entire societies, fuelling further cycles of displacement.
Our global pluralism monitor research identifies trends that have translated into conflict and mass displacement. Core findings include the magnitude of the impact of a prolonged weaponization of identity on conflict and displacement, the necessity of having both legal frameworks to support resettlement and social-cultural programs to guard against scapegoating and promote social cohesion, the importance of front-ending pluralist approaches for post-conflict returns to be durable and avoid leading to renewed conflict, and the importance of engaging marginal and conflict-affected communities directly in programs, policies and peace processes.
Our pluralism monitor for Sudan shows the consequences of state-led policies and practices that centre diversity as a threat. The official state ideology of unity in conformity, and the exclusion of groups not conforming to majority Arab identity, are at the heart of causes of the conflict that now represents the gravest humanitarian and displacement crisis in the world. The return of displaced populations requires durable peace to prevent repeated displacement. This requires a focus on fostering social cohesion among both returnees and receiving communities.
In Syria, we see the challenges posed by massive levels of displacement to the country's recovery. With 13.5 million people, nearly half the pre-war population, displaced since the beginning of the conflict, the impact of the war—coupled with economic stresses and the influx of returnees—has deepened tensions between Syria's diverse communities. Without proactive strategies to promote social cohesion, the combined impact of displacement and economic decline may lead to further fragmentation and instability.
The physical and psychological toll of displacement must also be considered. Findings at a recent convening of displaced Sudanese youth highlight psychological distress, as well as hopelessness and exhaustion, as major impacts of the war, along with depression and social fragmentation. These things limit the ability of a society to recover and avoid future cycles of conflict and displacement.
Severe restrictions on civic space for youth inside Sudan create conditions in which there is almost no safe space for independent civil action outside humanitarian work. Displacement has affected education, livelihoods, mobility and social stability. This highlights the importance of support to receiving countries, as two-thirds of refugees are in protracted displacement situations globally.
Strategies to integrate displaced populations into the societies require a pluralist focus. This includes combining practical policy supports, such as citizenship pathways and access to services, with efforts to build belonging, social cohesion and connection to receiving communities.
Millions of displaced Sudanese youth face significant challenges as they aim to engage economically and seek connection, community and dignified livelihoods. Legal status is the root barrier. Work permits and fees, residency documentation and bank account access are structural impediments, not simply bureaucratic inconveniences. Even when strong legal frameworks are present, without an intentional pluralism focus, social hostility and policy restrictions undermine the inclusion of displaced populations. We see this across countries that we have assessed.
These findings across all of our global pluralism monitor reports highlight the need for holistic approaches to support constructive inclusion of displaced persons, engagement with receiving populations and connection to reconciliation processes for returns in post-conflict cases.
We have extensive further findings that we would be pleased to share with the committee through our written submission and through the question period.
Canada has been a global leader in upholding refugee commitments. The policies and practices of pluralism provide the foundation for Canada's success in receiving and integrating refugees here over time. Canada can draw on these traditions and its expertise to support the holistic actions necessary to address the challenges of displacement globally.
We look forward to your questions. Thank you.