REFRACT in the media

Cet avis du CCGD vise à renforcer les efforts consentis par la Belgique dans la politique internationale en matière d’approche du triple nexus (aide humanitaire, coopération au développement et paix). Tout en accordant une attention particulière aux défis et opportunités permettant de favoriser l’égalité des genres. 

Les recommandations du CCGD visent principalement à favoriser une approche du triple nexus qui place l’égalité des genres au centre de ses préoccupations. Dans ce contexte, nous soulignons l’importance d’une approche inclusive dans la mise en place de la politique et la garantie de cohérence en fonction du développement et de l’égalité des genres. Il est également recommandé d’impliquer activement les femmes et les filles dans toute leur diversité dans le processus décisionnel en matière de paix et de sécurité. Nous plaidons pour que des moyens suffisants et une attention à la flexibilité soient prévus dans les programmes afin de pouvoir réagir efficacement aux situations de crise. Enfin, nous soulignons l’importance d’apporter des adaptations structurelles pour lutter contre les inégalités et la violence liées au genre.

This piece offers a space for critical debate and reflection on the methodological and epistemological foundations that underpin feminist research on conflict, violence and peace. Taking stock of the variety of approaches and theoretical standpoints, we examine the (feminist) politics of knowledge production in academia and its limitations. We discuss how ontological and epistemological assumptions shape what counts as (feminist) academic knowledge and what is considered to be possible in (policy) practice. The article makes three contributions. First, we argue that the production of knowledge within disciplinary boundaries, and in particular, International Relations, is closely related to the discipline’s history of positivism and exclusion. Second, to counter that, we propose a close engagement with Black and decolonial feminist methods of feeling-knowing, storytelling and collaboration. Third, we highlight that embracing uncertainty means accepting incommensurability and heterogeneity, as well as a shift away from the urge to accumulate knowledge towards paying attention to the process of co-constructing it.

This article studies the social representations of emigration through a radio programme called ‘Allô diaspora’. It is based on semi-directive interviews conducted via WhatsApp in May-June 2024 in Burkina Faso with 12 emigrants based in 12 countries in Africa, Europe, Asia and America and with two hosts of the programme who were met in person in Ouagadougou. It empirically reveals the importance of the programme for the diaspora and explains how the media can facilitate the social and cultural integration of émigrés in the host country, strengthen social ties between émigrés from the same and different countries and encourage immigration within immigration. Finally, the article shows that the radio programme studied contributes both to dissuading and encouraging emigration, while remaining a socio-discursive forum for resolving the problems of emigrants.