Presenter(s): Maria Pervova − Economics, International Studies
Faculty Mentor(s): Galen Martin
Oral Session 4M
Research Area: Social Science
According to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, there are currently more than 65 million refugees in the world, a number that does not include internally displaced people, asylum seekers, and stateless persons. This massive and inhumane displacement of people is largely caused by war and political tensions that unjustly affect non-combattants. Not only does this harm individuals and families, but this unnervingly trickles down to limit human potential in terms of educational achievement and economic growth for future generations. Countries not directly involved in these conflicts complain that the influx of refugees and migrants is straining their resources and overall production capacity. As of now, there are not enough successful, preventative measures taken to halt the eruption of refugee crises in their tracks or even before they begin. The United Nations and individual countries alike are hesitant to spend time and energy on building upon preventive methods such as diplomacy and peace building. It is understandable that countries do not want to pay upfront costs for even likely events, especially when they are apt to occur outside their borders. However, conflict resolution costs and refugee services are only a tiny fraction of the military and post-conflict spending needed to end crises. My comparative analysis aims to demonstrate that a greater upfront investment in conflict prevention is more cost effective in terms of human life and economic measures than post conflict expenditures. This will be evaluated through a cost-benefit analysis of recent refugee crises in the Middle East.