Learning from Global South Approaches to Tackle Refugee Crises - Assessing the Impact of Latin American Refugee Norms and Practices on the Global Compact on Refugees

With wars and civil unrest brewing in all corners of the world, many states are struggling with an increased influx of refugees. However, by being a refugee-producing as well as -accepting region, Latin America has developed a unique approach towards forced migration over the past decades, characterised by solidarity between states and with refugees. This paper argues that this put the region into a favourable position to influence the UN negotiations on the Global Compact on Refugees (GCR) between 2016 and 2018. Since valuable contributions to solve global problems by the Global South often remain underestimated or disregarded, the article highlights the extent to which Latin America’s participation, written statements, and regional conference papers may have impacted the creation of the GCR. It is explored how the Global Compact’s emphasis on solidarity and the linking of concepts like development and integration were likely shaped by the region’s inputs – potentially contributing to positive changes for the human rights of refugees.