Short Course on International Refugee Law and Advocacy, Bangkok,
September 2011
The Centre for Applied Human Rights (University of York, UK) will be
offering a 5 day post-graduate short-course on International Refugee Law
and Advocacy in Bangkok in September 2011. The course is offered in
partnership with the Asia Pacific Refugee Rights Network (APRRN), a
growing network of over 116 civil society groups and individuals
committed to advancing the rights of refugees in the Asia Pacific Region.
The course will run from 12 to 16 September 2011 and will be held in
central Bangkok. There will be an optional 2 day field-trip to visit
refugee communities in Mae Sot at the end of the course (17 and 18
September 2011).
Overview of Course
There are more than 15 million refugees in the world. The overwhelming
majority live in environments where their basic rights are not respected
– despite the growth of international and domestic norms concerning the
treatment of refugees and the increase in international and
transnational mechanisms through which breaches of those norms can be
addressed.
The short course provides a rigorous examination of international
refugee law and the rights of refugees. It focuses on the various
processes through which the rights of refugees are developed and can be
enforced. In adopting this focus, it seeks to address the contemporary
challenge of those advocating on behalf of refugees: how can we engage
the state and the international community so as to better enable
refugees to enjoy the rights to which they are entitled?
The short course also looks at the legal and practical situation of
refugees in Asia as that illustrates key challenges facing the
international refugee regime. More than half the world’s refugees live
in Asia, but most Asian states are not party to the international
refugee instruments. Although the course draws many of its examples from
Asia, the knowledge and skills it provides are equally applicable elsewhere.
Delivery and Content of Course
The course will consist of two elements: (i) a distance learning
(online) component, and (ii) a 5 day classroom course. The online
component will be self-paced and provide course participants with
background information about refugee law and policy, as well as
case-studies drawn from the Asia-Pacific region. The classroom
component will cover strategies to engage the various institutions of
the state to protect refugee rights, including the judiciary, national
legislative bodies, and national human rights institutions. The
classroom content will be delivered by CAHR staff and also guest
lectures by members of APRRN.
The highlights of the course include the following:
-Analysis of the structure and elements of international refugee law
-Exploration of judicial engagement, including the use of international
legal arguments and the strategic litigation of refugee rights
-Analysis of domestic refugee laws and advocacy for law reform
-Developing new fora for refugee advocacy, including developing national
legislative caucuses and engaging local government
-The role of national human rights institutions and UN bodies (including
UNHCR and the mechanisms of the Human Rights Council) in monitoring and
protecting the rights of refugees
A full prospectus with a detailed listing of the topics discussed in the
course can be found on the CAHR website (see below)
Who Should Attend?
The course is intended for individuals already involved in or studying
refugee issues. This includes civil servants dealing with refugee
issues, policy makers, lawyers, paralegals, civil society organization
staff, caseworkers, post-graduate students, and refugees. The course is
particularly directed at those interested in refugee protection in Asia,
although the issues discussed in the course apply to refugees in all
parts of the world.
Fees and Scholarships
Course fees are £450 (approximately 720 USD) and will include course
materials, refreshments during the course, and lunch. Course fees do
not include accommodation but a range of accommodation is available to
course participants the conference venue starting at around £25 per
night (40 USD); even cheaper accommodation options are available nearby.
A limited number of scholarships are available; scholarships will
generally consist of a fee waiver (eg. you will still be responsible for
the other costs of attending the short-course, including transportation
and accommodation).
Additional fees may be charged to cover the cost of the optional (end of
course) trip to Mae Sot. These are expected to be around 110 USD,
including accommodation in and transportation to and from Mae Sot.
Additional information about the field trip to Mae Sot will be emailed
to course participants once the details are finalised.
Academic Credit
All course participants who successfully complete the course will
receive a certificate of completion. In addition, it is anticipated
that the course will accredited by the University of York for 20
post-graduate credits [200 hours of coursework]. An additional
assignment of 3,000 words will be required for this credit and
additional fees will be charged. Further information can be provided
upon request (email [log in to unmask]).
Accommodation
The course will be held in central Bangkok. Accommodation is available
at the conference venue and a range of accommodation is available nearby
for short course participants. Email APRRN for further information
about local logistics ([log in to unmask]).
Applications and Further Information
The deadline for application for admission to the course is 15 August
2011. Early applications (especially for scholarships) are encouraged;
applications after the deadline may not be guaranteed a place on the
course. Applications and further information about the course are
available on the CAHR website:
http://www.york.ac.uk/inst/cahr/short%20courses/Index.htm
Further information about APPRN can be found on its website:
http://refugeerightsasiapacific.org/
For further information about applying for admission to the course;
payment of fees; and, the content of the course please email the CAHR at
[log in to unmask]
Inquiries about local accommodation and local logistics should be
directed to the APPRN Secretariat at [log in to unmask]
Martin Jones
Lecturer in International Human Rights Law
Centre for Applied Human Rights
University of York, York, UK. YO10 5GD
Web: http://www.york.ac.uk/inst/cahr
Direct Tel: +44 (0)1904 325 834
Main Tel: +44 (0)1904 434 398
Fax: +44 (0)1904 434400
Email: [log in to unmask]
Skype: martindjones
Email disclaimer: http://www.york.ac.uk/docs/disclaimer/email.htm
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