Convened by Olivier Sterck, University of Antwerp

Refugee hosting takes place at the intersection of international norms and local realities. While global protection frameworks and humanitarian institutions shape the discourse, the actual experience of displacement is profoundly shaped by local economies, politics, and social dynamics. This panel investigates how “glocal” solutions emerge when global agendas meet local practices, highlighting the opportunities and tensions that define refugee hosting today.

Three practical challenges stand out. First, the sharp decline in humanitarian funding threatens even the most basic forms of support. As aid budgets shrink, camps and urban settlements experience widening gaps in food security, education, and livelihoods, raising urgent questions about burden-sharing and equity. Second, many argue that the humanitarian system should be reshaped by the growing involvement of refugee-led organisations. These actors challenge the top-down delivery of aid and bring grounded knowledge, yet they face barriers of recognition, resources, and sustainability. Third, the three traditional durable solutions—voluntary repatriation, resettlement, and local integration—are increasingly ineffective. Protracted displacement has become the norm, and many refugees find themselves trapped between restricted mobility, shrinking aid, and uncertain futures.

Against this backdrop, the panel asks: How can “glocal” approaches generate more sustainable and dignified responses to displacement? What innovative practices emerge from collaboration between international actors and local communities? What lessons can be drawn across contexts to inform both policy and practice?