York University's Division of Continuation in partnership with the Centre for Refugee Studies will be offering a fully online certificate in Refugee and Forced Migration Issues. This program is available to all who might be interested, including individuals from outside Canada. Please see below for more information.

Michele Millard
Coordinator, Centre for Refugee Studies
Email: [log in to unmask] 
www.yorku.ca/crs
www.refugeeresearch.net

ATTACHMENT:

York University 
Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies 
Division of Continuing Education 
  
Certificate in Refugee & Forced Migration Issues 
  
ONLINE PROGRAM 
Co-Sponsor: Centre for Refugee Studies 

Make a difference with specialized skills & knowledge! 

The overall goal of this non-degree certificate program is to support through education the strengthening of services that assist refugees. Students will build upon their professional experience and gain better understanding of: national and international legal and immigration policies and their rationale; the experiences of refugees from diverse backgrounds; and be able to recognize and address the psychosocial needs of their clients. 

Program Structure 

The program’s three courses are offered online via Moodle. It consists of a combination of readings and PowerPoint presentations with synched media-site live video presentation of the instructors. Online discussions encourage as well as enhance quality feedback between instructors and students. To access online courses students require an internet connection and the web browser Internet Explorer. 

Who Should Attend 

People working in not-for-profit and government organizations dealing with refugee issues, settlement programs and other relevant services. The course will be of interest to staff, volunteers and to people from the international field who want to expand their knowledge of refugee issues as well as learn about the Canadian context. 

Admission Requirements 

•       a degree from a recognized university or a college diploma (any discipline); OR 
•       at least 1 year of paid or unpaid employment in organizations working with refugees or displaced people in Canada or internationally. 
  
Course Descriptions 

Course #1: International Conventions and Canadian Legislation 

This course provides participants with an overview of the Canadian refugee determination system as well as of the international conventions and remedies applicable in the refugee context. 

Participants will learn to: 
•       study the complex interrelationship between refugee law, state sovereignty, and various concepts of exclusion and inclusion; 
•       evaluate the existing national and international framework of refugee protection; 
•       deepen participants’ knowledge of inland refugee determination process and enable them to apply learned concepts to specific fact patterns presented in case studies; 
•       allow participants to develop practical skills and knowledge of various aspects of refugee law and process that can be useful in their day-to-day work with refugee claimants and refugees; and   
•       share ideas and reflect on the role of the civil society in refugee policy and assistance. 

Course #2: Trauma, Psychological and Psycho-Social Issues and Vicarious Trauma 

In this course we will critically examine concepts of emotional, psychological, and social distress and well- being as they relate to the experience of newcomers. 

Participants will learn to: 
•       become sensitive to the role of culture in the shaping of experience and behaviour; 
•       identify trauma specific reactions experienced by immigrants and refugees; 
•       become familiar with typical, and not-­so-­typical, presentations of distress; 
•       identify strategies designed to ameliorate trauma specific reactions; and 
•       gain an awareness of the limitations of western psychological principles and techniques, particularly as they apply to newcomers. 

Course #3: Settlement Theory and Practice 

This course concerns settlement policies adopted by the countries receiving refugees. The history of refugees in Canada and internationally will be explored in order to understand the refugee experience and how it interrelates with government refugee policies. 

Participants will learn to: 
•       examine the history of refugee policies of receiving country/countries; 
•       explore the incentives for refugee settlement policies and evaluate them; 
•       comprehend the public attitude of the refugees; and 
•       evaluate perceptions of refugees of settlement services. 

To register or request information, please contact: 

Division of Continuing Education 
Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies 
York University 
Atkinson Building, Room 143 
4700 Keele Street, Toronto, ON M3J 1P3 
Toll-free: 1 855 900 YORK 
Fax: 416 650 8042 
E-mail: [log in to unmask] 
www.coned.yorku.ca/refugee 



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