James C. Rosapepe served as the U.S. Ambassador to Romania from 1998-2001. In 2006, he was elected to the Maryland State Senate representing Maryland’s District 21 in Prince George’s and Anne Arundel Counties. From 2001-2006, he served on the Board of Regents of the University System of Maryland. A former member of the Maryland House of Delegates from 1987-1997, he served as Vice Chair of the Ways and Means Committee. From 1995-1997, he served as Investment Committee Chair of the Albanian American Enterprise Fund. From 1989-1992, he served as the Deputy Chair of the Maryland Democratic Party. He currently is Chairman and CEO of Patuxent Capital Group LLC and serves on the boards of several companies and investment funds in Europe. Ambassador Rosapepe is a co-author of Dracula Is Dead: How Romanians Survived Communism, Ended It, and Emerged as the New Italy since 1989 (2009). He has won multiple awards including Certificate of Appreciation from the Maryland Municipal League in 2008. His wife, Sheilah Kast, hosts an interview show on the public radio affiliate in Baltimore, “Maryland Morning with Sheilah Kast.” She was an ABC News Correspondent (1981-1997) and host of public television’s This Week in Business (1997-1998).
Forced displacement represents one of the most pressing humanitarian issues of our time. Individuals and families, torn from the fabric of their communities, find themselves navigating a world of uncertainty, often without basic necessities or a clear path to safety. There are currently some 110 million forced displaced, and this number is growing by 10 million each year!
At the heart of this crisis are the political triggers. Armed conflicts, ethnic or religious persecutions, and systemic human rights abuses force millions to flee their homes in terror. Many are displaced within their own national boundaries, while others seek asylum abroad. If these factors change as a result of political shifts at home or the pressures from abroad, they can return to their homes. Forced displacement is thus different from environmentally driven displacement, as victims of climate change may never be able to return to their homes.
The ramifications of any sort of displacement are profound, not just for those directly affected, but also for host communities and countries. Overburdened infrastructures, socio-economic strains, and cultural tensions can arise, necessitating comprehensive strategies to foster harmony and integration. Yet the root causes of forced displacement can be remedied with a concerted focus by local players and international diplomacy.
Organizations like Refugees International play a crucial role in this arena, advocating for the rights and needs of the displaced, conducting on-the-ground assessments, and influencing policymakers to take informed actions. Their relentless work underscores the gravity of the situation and the urgency ofinternational cooperation. But they, too, are overwhelmed by the rapid expansion of the crisis.
International Humanitarian Law (IHL), with its core principles centered on the protection of civilians during conflicts, plays a pivotal role in this discourse. Yet, despite clear legal frameworks, compliance remains
inconsistent. This initiative emphasizes the importance of upholding and reinforcing these international standards.
It’s not just about recognizing the problem; it’s about active engagement. We urge governments, organizations, and individuals to prioritize the rights and needs of the forced displaced. Through collective efforts, informed policies, and sustained advocacy, we can shift the narrative from passive acknowledgment to proactive intervention.
