News

International border management in the spotlight

(4 April 2006)

Representatives of nearly 40 countries are meeting at Durham University this week to examine some of the world’s most difficult areas of border security and disputed territory.

The conference, 'Border Management in an Insecure World', is run by the University’s International Boundaries Research Unit (IBRU), which has advised many organisations and governments about the peaceful resolution of land and sea boundary problems since its formation in 1989. More than 130 external participants are attending the event, which runs 5-7 April in Collingwood College, Durham. They include lawyers, cartographers, academics and officials of international organisations. Topics range from the balance of border security and human rights; Israel and its neighbours; outstanding issues in the former Yugoslavia; African border disputes; and managing China’s frontiers, to the particular problem of establishing borders at sea or on lakes – with particular reference to Japan, Australia and United States-Canada. IBRU’s Director of Research, Martin Pratt, said: “We believe that the conference is both timely and important. Much has been written in recent years about the value of 'soft' borders in maintaining good relations between neighbouring states and creating borderland prosperity. However, the reality in many parts of the world is that borders are hardening rather than softening as states seek to protect their populations from perceived external threats. “A key aim of this conference will be to examine the implications of the re-emergence of security as a core element of border management. Can borders actually be made secure in the 21st century? If so, what are the political, economic and social consequences, especially for border regions? What border management strategies are available and how are they working in practice? And how can scholars assist practitioners in finding solutions to complex border management challenges? These are not purely academic questions - they impact on the lives of millions of people around the world - and they deserve our consideration.” Full details of the conference are at

• www-ibru.dur.ac.uk/conferences/bmiw