(Co)initiating or participating in larger research projects and activities is one of the major objectives of the IFHV’s research agenda.
The results of IFHV research, are published in a wide range of journals and book series, including the IFHV’s own Journal of International Humanitarian Law, the Bochumer Schriften (Bochumer Papers). The results of ongoing research are published in the forthcoming IFHV Working Paper Series in Humanitarian Studies.
Previous research projects concentrated inter alia on:
Currently four new research projects have been proposed to different funders and five more research projects are being developed, including a number of PhD projects. Upon approval these projects, abstracts and essential information will be published on this page under the heading ‘current projects’
| Title: |
The Functioning, Efficiency and Legitimacy of Migrant Organizations in Humanitarian Crises (in preparation). |
| Project partner(s): |
Prof. Dr. Ludger Pries (RUB) and Prof. Dr. Dennis Dijkzeul (RUB) |
| Project manager(s): |
Prof. Dr. Ludger Pries (RUB) and Prof. Dr. Dennis Dijkzeul (RUB) |
| Output: |
Several international publications, workshops, and PhD dissertations |
| Duration: |
2012-2015 |
| Funding Organization: |
To be submitted to the DFG |
| Abstract: |
Migrant organizations (MOs) are increasingly noticed as important actors in humanitarian crises. Their actions, investment and remittances in the countries of origin are now recognized as an important alternative to traditional humanitarian action. The involvement of MOs in humanitarian action fits into the general trends of growth and diversification of humanitarian action that has become visible since the end of the Cold War. However, little is known about the actual functioning, decision-making, implementation and impact of MOs in humanitarian action. In general, humanitarian studies have insufficiently taken into account the transnational aspects of these organizations. Simultaneously, doubts exist about the quality of the humanitarian work of MOs among practitioners in traditional humanitarian organizations. This comparative study addresses these concerns by studying the functioning, efficiency and legitimacy of Turkish and Congolese MOs in Germany and Austria. |
| Title: |
Einhegung unbemannter Waffensysteme durch das Völkerrecht |
| Project partner(s): |
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| Project manager(s): |
Dr. habil. Hans-Joachim Heintze (IFHV); Prof. Dr. Thilo Marauhn, M.Phil. (Justus-Liebig-Universität Giessen) |
| Output: |
2 Workshops, Publikationen |
| Duration: |
2010-2012 |
| Funding Organization: |
Deutsche Stiftung Friedensforschung |
| Abstract: |
Das Projekt untersucht, inwieweit die Bestimmungen des humanitären Völkerrecht und des allgemeinen Völkerrechts auf unbemannte Waffensysteme anwendbar sind. Dies erfolgt vor dem Hintergrund, dass sog. intelligente Waffen in absehbarer Zukunft verfügbar sein werden. Hinzu kommt, dass beim Einsatz unbemannter Drohnen auch Fragen der nationalen Rechtsordnung zu stellen sind. Das Projekt bringt Juristen, Techniker und Praktiker zusammen und wird auch durch die Politik im Rahmen der Technikabfolge gefördert. |
| Title: |
Staatliche Fürsorgepflicht und Streitkräfte: Rechtliche Aspekte der Posttraumatischen Belastungsstörung (PTBS) bei Bundeswehrsoldaten |
| Project manager(s): |
Dr. iur. Jana Hertwig, LL.M. (Eur. Integration) |
| Project Assistant: |
Rechtsanwältin Nicola Becker (Recht; Februar bis Juli 2011), Britta Pöter (Medizin; seit August 2011)
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| Duration: |
2010-2011 |
| Funding Organization: |
Rektorat, Ruhr-Universität Bochum, Programm zur Anschubfinanzierung von Forschungsprojekten des wissenschaftlichen Nachwuchses |
| Abstract: |
Seit Ende des Kalten Krieges haben sich die deutschen Streitkräfte von einer Verteidigungs- zu einer Einsatzarmee entwickelt, die heute weltweit im Rahmen verschiedener Bündnisverpflichtungen operiert. Mit verstärkter Beteiligung deutscher Streitkräfte in internationalen Missionen steigen die Anforderungen an die Soldaten – in physischer, aber auch in psychischer Hinsicht, wie die Fälle von Posttraumatischen Belastungsstörungen zeigen. Untersuchungsgegenstand ist, inwieweit die allgemeine Fürsorgepflicht des deutschen Staates für seine Staatsangehörigen und insbesondere für die Angehörigen seiner Staatsorgane angesichts des militärischen Einsatzes in internationalen Operationen einer Modifikation bedarf oder ob sie hinreichend ist.
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| Title: |
The NGO Challenge for IR Theory |
| Project partner(s): |
Prof. Dr. W. deMars |
| Project manager(s): |
Prof. Dr. W. deMars and Prof. Dr. Dennis Dijkzeul |
| Output: |
Edited volume on The NGO Challenge for International Theory, several conference papers and workshop reports |
| Duration: |
2008-2011 |
| Funding Organization: |
ISA Venture Workshop Grant |
| Abstract: |
The discipline of International Relations has seen several waves of interest in NGOs and transnational relations, and NGOs will remain significant and intriguing actors in world politics. However, IR scholars interested in NGOs have failed to generate a theoretically informed research agenda on the politics and practices of NGOs. None of the three main IR schools (realism, liberalism and constructivism) has dealt in a convincing way with the actual politics and practices of NGOs. More than any other category of actor in world politics, NGOs bridge multiple divides (e.g. state-society, cooperation-conflict, normative-material) through their unequalled capacity to form political and societal partnerships. As a consequence, the role and impact of NGOs can only be studied by taking into account the networks in which they willingly or inadvertently participate. The envisioned product of this research project, which has received an ISA Venture Workshop Grant, will be an edited volume on The NGO Challenge for International Theory, to be published in 2011. In relation to a particular empirical case, each chapter asks how do existing theories illuminate or obfuscate the ways that NGOs bridge (multiple) divides? |
| Title: |
International Governance and Humanitarian Action in the Eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo |
| Project partner(s): |
IRC, DARA, and Malteser International and other NGOs), as well as local institutions (e.g., Institut Superieur de Développement Rural) |
| Project manager(s): |
Prof. Dr. Dennis Dijkzeul |
| Output: |
Several international publications |
| Duration: |
2002- ongoing |
| Funding Organization: |
BMBF Funding of Junior Professors, Cooperation with NGOs and Funding Organizations (e.g., DFID, DARA, IRC, Malteser International) |
| Abstract: |
This ongoing program on the functioning and impact of humanitarian action in the eastern DRC began in 2002. It has mainly focused on the internal management of international humanitarian organizations, cost-recovery and performance-based financing in the local health care system, capacity building, and local perceptions of humanitarian action. Over the years, this research program has resulted in several international publications, including “Supporting Local Health Care in a Chronic Crisis: Management and Financing Approaches in the Eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (2005)” and “Doing Good, but Looking Bad? Two Humanitarian NGOs in the Eastern DRC (2010)”. The program had several donors and included special grants for young professors in Germany. It took place in close cooperation with several NGOs, such as IRC, DARA, and Malteser International. Recent field research has been carried out in July 2007 and May 2009. Additional field research will take place in 2011. |
| Title: |
Wiederherstellung staatlicher Strukturen in Nach-Konflikt-Situationen: Theoretische Fragen und vier Fallstudien (Irak, Afghanistan, Bosnien, Kosovo) |
| Project partner(s): |
Universität Hannover, Zentrum für internationale Friedenseinsätze Berlin |
| Project manager(s): |
Prof. Volker Epping (Hannover), Dr. Hans-Joachim Heintze (IFHV) |
| Output: |
2 Konferenzen, 6 Bücher |
| Duration: |
2005-2008 |
| Funding Organization: |
Deutsche Stiftung Friedensforschung |
| Abstract: |
In allen vier Fällen war die staatliche Ordnung nach ausländischen Interventionen oder durch innerstaatliche Konflikte zusammengebrochen. Unter Führung der UN wurden Post-Konflikt-Ordnungen geschaffen. Die vier Fallstudien beschäftigen sich mit den völkerrechtlichen Voraussetzungen für die internationale Beteiligung an der Schaffung stabiler Staatlichkeit. Vier Monographien beschäftigen sich mit den einzelnen Fällen im Detail, zwei Sammelbände mit den übergreifenden Aspekten des „Statebuilding“. Als neues Beispiel wurde 2010 der Sudan untersucht. |
| Title: |
Security and Humanitarian Action: Who is Winning? A US-Europe Dialogue in the Wake of September 11, 2001 |
| Project partner(s): |
IFHV/Humanitarian Affairs Program, School of International and Public Affairs, Columbia University |
| Project manager(s): |
Prof. Dr. Dennis Dijkzeul |
| Output: |
International Expert Conference, Publication: “Between Force and Mercy: Military Action and Humanitarian Aid” |
| Duration: |
2001-2004 |
| Funding Organization: |
Berghof Stiftung (Berlin) |
| Abstract: |
Shortly after 9/11, experts from Europe and North America met to study and debate the impact of 9/11 on European and American security and humanitarian policy, as well as on military and civilian humanitarian interventions in the field. The experts indicated and explained the main differences between US and European approaches. |
| Title: |
Autonomy Regulations and International Law |
| Project partner(s): |
Autonomous Government of Macao, Government of PR China, European Union, Columbia University New York, University of Uppsala, Danish Institute of Human Rights, Copenhagen; Abo Academy University Turku, Friedrich Ebert Stiftung |
| Project manager(s): |
Dr. Heintze; Prof. Paolo Cardinal, University of Macao; Prof. Bartoli, New York; Prof. Nordquist, Uppsala; Prof. Markku Suksi, Turku; Prof. Skurbaty, Copenhagen; S. Zöllner, Wuppertal; -R. Samaddar, Kathmandu; Prof. Hilpold, Innsbruck |
| Output: |
Conferences and Books |
| |
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World Conference “One Country, Two Systems, Three Legal Orders - Perspectives on Evolution” Macao 2008, , Presentation at the Plenary by Dr. Heintze on the Evolution of Autonomy and Federalism, Published in 2010 |
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Selbstbestimmungsrecht der Völker und Südtirol, Bozen 2008 (Workshop), Published 2009 |
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Autonomy in Europe and Asia, Bochum 2007 (Workshop) |
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Beyond the One-Dimensional State, Copenhagen 2004 (Conference), Published in 2005 |
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Autonomy regulations and international human rights protection, Uppsala 2002, presentation on legal preconditions of autonomy regulations (Workshop) |
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Autonomy regulations and international human rights protection, Bejing 2000, Autonomy and conflict settlement (Conference) |
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Autonomy for Papua, Berlin 2003 (Conference), Published in 2003 |
| Duration: |
Since 1998 |
| Funding Organization: |
European Union, Ford Foundation, Friedrich Ebert Stiftung and several other Foundations |
| Abstract: |
Autonomy relates to the institutional organization of a country at the sub-national level whilst possibly containing qualities that promote the protection of minorities. For this reason it is interesting from point of view of international law. Moreover, the term autonomy seems to be very elastic and capable of stretching into a multitude of social and legal relationships. In fact, the concept of autonomy seems to be full of loose ends of all kinds. The project done with different partners and sources of finance tries to identify some loose ends. |
