Globalization poses new challenges in all domains of international life, and the world of forced migration is no exception. In the coming decades states, international agencies and NGOs face multiple challenges in relation to the problem of human displacement. How effectively they surmount these hurdles will determine the viability of international refugee protection in the years to come.

The challenges ahead can be listed as follows. First, states must be persuaded to reconsider their restrictive asylum policies. Second, it must be ensured that the core principles of international refugee law, particularly that of non-refoulement, are not eroded. Third, the security of refugees, particularly women and children, and humanitarian workers, must be enhanced. Fourth, problems relating to protracted situations and the 'warehousing' of refugees must be resolved. Fifth, host states must be prevented from undermining the principle of voluntary repatriation in the absence of responsibility-sharing by the international community. Sixth, the problem of smuggling and trafficking of asylum seekers must be addressed. Seventh, the root causes of refugee flows must be given more attention than they receive at present. Eighth, UNHCR must respond to numerous supervisory, accountability and partnership challenges, besides clearly defining its role vis-à-vis internally displaced people.

A number of initiatives have already been taken by states and international agencies, and in particular by UNHCR, to meet these challenges. This book has attempted to assess such efforts in the context of key political and socioeconomic developments over the past few years. Decolonization, the end of the Cold War, rapid globalization, the growing North-South divide, the proliferation of internal conflicts and the so-called 'war on terror' have all affected the policies of states towards refugees and internally displaced persons. They have also led to a change in perceptions of the role of international agencies, including UNHCR, in dealing with displaced people.

Despite these efforts, much remains to be done. This chapter highlights some of the key areas in need of immediate attention: ensuring the security of refugees, improving mechanisms to better identify those in need of international protection, and finding durable solutions – especially to resolve protracted situations. These and other challenges can only be met through adequate responsibility-sharing. The chapter also looks into various mechanisms for achieving it. A separate section is devoted to identifying the challenges facing UNHCR in providing protection and assistance for refugees and, increasingly, internally displaced people.

Box 7.4 Internal displacement in Colombia

Key concerns