Looking ahead to the fall...

International Refugee Law and Contemporary Challenges, 11 October-21 November 2010 [info]
- E-learning course offered by HREA and UPEACE; apply by 15 Sept. 2010

61st Session of the Executive Committee of the High Commissioner's Programme, Geneva, 4-8 October 2010 [EXCOM web site]
- No info. currently available, although some preliminary documents are.

15th International Metropolis Conference, The Hague, 4-8 October 2010 [info]
- Theme is "Justice and Migration: Paradoxes of Belonging."

First International Conference on Human Rights in Southeast Asia, Bangkok, 14-15 October 2010 [info]
- Organized by the Southeast Asian Human Rights Studies Network.

Refuge: General Call for Papers [info]
- Refuge is seeking articles for its first issue under the new editor-in-chief. "Although the issue will include papers dealing with a variety of topics, submissions regarding Canada’s recent attempt to reform its asylum system and the humanitarian response to the recent earthquake in Haiti are particularly welcome." The deadline for submissions is 29 October 2010.

IASFM13: Governing Migration, Kampala, 3-6 July 2011 [info]
- Hosted by the Refugee Law Project. Paper abstracts are due by 31 October 2010.

Tagged Events & Opportunities.

World Conference on Humanitarian Studies

The second World Conference on Humanitarian Studies will be held 2-5 June 2011, in Medford, Massachusetts, USA. This event is organized by the International Humanitarian Studies Association (IHSA) and hosted by Tufts University in collaboration with Harvard University, Columbia University, and the Social Science Research Council. The IHSA was established during the first conference, which took place in 2009 in Groningen. Its aim is "to strengthen and advance a global network of universities, specialised research centres, inter-governmental and non-governmental organisations in order to enhance a better alignment between knowledge, policy and practice in resolving humanitarian crises." The IHSA seeks to accomplish this goal in part through its World Conferences.

The second meeting will focus on "Changing Realities of Conflict and Crises." Discussions will center on four broad themes: Emerging from Protracted Crises, New Directions in Policy, Innovations in Humanitarian Practice, and Advances in Public Health and Food Security in Crises. The official call for papers/panels is not yet available, but interested parties can join a mailing list to be notified when it is issued.

Related posts:
International Humanitarian Studies Association (12 Feb. 2009)


Tagged Events & Opportunities.

Things to do in August and September...

Strengthening Prevention and Response to Gender-Based Violence (GBV) in Refugee and Internally Displaced Person (IDP) Settings, Nairobi, 2-13 August 2010 [info]
- Training organized by the Centre for African Family Studies.

Delivering Relief in Emergencies: Saving lives and protecting livelihoods through relief assistance, Nairobi, 23-26 August 2010 [info]
- This course "covers the main approaches of emergency relief, including an introduction to nutritional assessments, and focuses on the planning and implementation of various types of relief interventions." Registration deadline is 12 August 2010.

Basics of International Humanitarian Response Workshop, Hua Hin, Thailand, 27 September-4 October 2010 [info]
- Workshop which aims "to acquaint the participants with the purpose and practices of emergency management." Apply by 20 August 2010.

Call for Papers: Drowning Island Nations: Legal Implications and Remedies, Spring 2011 [info]
- A conference will be convened in the Spring of 2011 at Columbia Law School’s Center for Climate Change Law to explore legal issues facing low-lying island nations as climate change causes sea levels to rise, including "statehood and statelessness." Submit abstracts by 1 September 2010.

Protecting Unaccompanied Child Asylum Seekers – Improving Local Provision Through Multi-Agency Working, Westminster, UK, 9 September 2010 [info]

7th Pan-European Conference on International Relations, Stockholm, 9-11 September 2010 [info]
- The section on "Emergency of Humanitarian World Politics" includes a round table and four panels on different aspects of humanitarianism.

Faith-based humanitarianism: The response of faith communities and faith-based organizations in contexts of forced migration, Oxford, 22 September 2010 [info]
- Hosted by the Refugee Studies Centre.

Tagged Events & Opportunities.

Events & Opportunities: Courses, Jobs, Lists, Meetings, Survey

Courses:

ELENA Training Course, "The Common European Asylum System," Athens, 17-18 September 2010
- Register by 21 July 2010.

New introductory e-course on rights of refugees and displaced persons [info]
- Offered by Human Rights Education Associates.

Job vacancies:

Research Fellow/Post-Doctoral Fellow in Statistics or Demography, FMSP [info]
- Apply by 1 August 2010.

Senior Policy Officer - Forced Displacement, ICVA [info]
- Apply by 1 August 2010.

Lists:

Immigration Detention Discussion List
- "We are convening a new, moderated email list-serve. It will be of interest to academics and practitioners who would like to continue exploring the issue of immigration detention raised at the workshop. You are welcome to join whether or not you attended the workshop. Please email Stephanie Silverman for more details: stephanie.silverman@sant.ox.ac.uk."

SRLAN List [info]
- Circulates announcements relevant to refugee legal aid.

Meetings:

Environmental Degradation and Conflict: From Vulnerabilities to Capabilities, Bielefeld, Germany, 5-9 December 2010 [info]
- "Aims to shed light on the complex dynamics of environmentally induced migration and the associated societal processes." Submit abstract for paper by 15 August 2010.

Responding to Internal Displacement in Colombia: Perspectives from Government, International Organizations and other Stakeholders, Washington, DC, 23 July 2010 [info]
- Convened by the Brookings-Bern Project on Internal Displacement.

Survey:

FMO User Survey 2010 [access]
- Help FMO with future planning.

Tagged Events & Opportunities.

Events, after the fact: Immigration Detention, Legal Assistance, Natural Disasters/SE Asia, Researching Refugees

ICAR 2009/10 Seminar Series: Researching asylum seekers, refugees and migrants
- Slideshows are available for some of the seminars.

One-Day Workshop on The Meaning and Practice of Immigration Detention: Perspectives from Legal, Social, and Political Theory, University of Oxford, 21 May 2010
- Presentations/papers have been posted; see also the podcast page for audio versions of the event.

Regional Workshop on Protecting and Promoting Rights in Natural Disasters in South-East Asia: Prevention and Response, 14-15 May 2010
- Report of the workshop is now available.

Rights in Exile: Global Perspectives on Legal Assistance for Refugees and IDPs, 21 June 2010
- Use the navigation menu on the left to access a recording of the conference; there are also photos (such as the one displayed on the right) and video interviews.

Tagged Events & Opportunities, Publications and Web Sites/Tools.

UNHCR/NGO Annual Consultations

UNHCR's annual consultations with NGOs will be held from 29 June to 1 July 2010, in Geneva. A mix of regional and thematic sessions are scheduled, with panels focusing on urban refugees, partnerships, stateless persons, IDPs, preventing sexual exploitation, addressing xenophobia, and women in protracted situations.

Check out the short and long versions of the agenda for more details. Background papers on a number of these issues are also available on the meeting web site.

The following side meetings are also taking place:

• Alternatives to immigration detention
• The Sphere Project: Achievements and ways forward
• From the margins to the centre: Realizing the rights of Refugee Women and Girls - A Meeting of the International Working Group to monitor the implementation of the ExCom Conclusion on Women and Girls at Risk
• Regional meetings
• UNHCR’s mandate status determination (RSD) procedures: Progress and current challenges
• From strategy to action: Next steps for supporting strong partnerships to address SGBV in displaced settings
• Promoting Resettlement in Europe - Partnership with NGOs
• A hearing on Boat People: Different people, different needs and rights to protection
• Count me in: Birth Registration – a protection tool

Tagged Publications and Events.

Past Events: Climate Change/E. Africa, Deportation Conf., IASFM12, IDPs/Pakistan & Afghan., Refugee Legislation/US, Supervising CSR51, Urban Refugees

Even if you missed these events, you can still read meeting reports or view/listen to some of the proceedings via webcast/podcast.

12th International Association for the Study of Forced Migration (IASFM) Conference, 28 June– 2 July 2009 [info]
- Excerpts of the conference report are provided in the Winter 2010 IASFM Newsletter (see p. 7).

Deportation and the Development of Citizenship, 11-12 December 2009 [info]
- Selection of papers now available.

Findings of the East Africa humanitarian climate risk management workshop, 23-24 February 2010 [report]

From Camps to Cities: The Urbanisation of Refugees, 1 March 2010 [info]
- Powerpoint slides of presentation available.

Internally Displaced Persons in Pakistan and Afghanistan: A Report from the Field, 5 May 2010 [info]
- Audio and transcript available.

Renewing America's Commitment to the Refugee Convention: The Refugee Protection Act of 2010, 19 May 2010 [info]
- Webcast available. See also statement from Human Rights First and testimony from Refugees International.

York 2010 International Conference on Forced Displacement, Protection Standards, Supervision of the 1951 Convention and the 1967 Protocol and Other International Instruments, 17-20 May 2010 [info]
- Text of keynote address. Also available are background materials, a video presentation, and photos.

Tagged Publications and Events.

New Blogs

IASFM [access]
- The International Association for the Study of Forced Migration has migrated to a blog format. Details re. the next conference are available, as well as general info. on the association.

RSDWatch [access]
- Yet another migration from website to blog. RSDWatch's aim is to raise awareness about how UNHCR undertakes refugee status determination.

Strasbourg Observers [access]
- This blog was set up to comment on "developments in the case-law of the European Court of Human Rights." Comments can be accessed by category (e.g., asylum seekers) or by case. The blog is also searchable.

Tagged Web Sites/Tools.

Things to do in May and June: Courses, Conferences

CMRS Summer Short Courses, AUC Center for Migration & Refugee Services, June 2010 [info]
- Courses include "Meeting the Psychosocial Needs of Refugees," 6-10 June 2010; "Refugee Participation: Where is the Voice of the Refugees," 13-17 June 2010; "Introduction to International Refugee Law," 20-26 June 2010. Application deadline is 1 May 2010.

"Unaccompanied Minors Expert Level Meeting," General Directors' Immigration Services Conference, Oslo, 4-5 May 2010 [info]

"International Refugee Law and Contemporary Challenges," HREA & the Human Rights Center of the University for Peace, 26 May–6 July 2010 [info]
- E-learning certificate course. Register by 10 May 2010.

"How Country Information Can Assist in Refugee Status Determination: Half Day Courses on Afghanistan, Iran and Sri Lanka," UK Immigration Advisory Service), dates range from 13 May to 30 June 2010 [info]

"Solidarity and Protection: Our obligations at home and abroad," Ottawa, 3-5 June 2010 [info]
- Register by 14 May 2010 for reduced fees.

UNHCR Annual Consultations with Non-Governmental Organizations, Geneva, 29 June-1 July 2010 [info]
- Register by 5 June 2010.

"Challenges and Commonalities in Providing Objective Evidence for Refugee Status Determination," University of Westminster, 10-11 June 2010 [info]

Tagged Events.

Things to do in April: Conferences, Courses

"The Concept of Mixed Migration: Reflecting on Today's Migratory Policies, Movements and Paradigms Shifts," Geneva, 8-9 April 2010 [info]
- Conference organized by the Programme for the Study of Global Migration (Graduate Institute, Geneva) and the Institut d'Ethnologie (Université de Neuchâtel), with support from UNHCR.

"Disabled refugees and asylum seekers: key issues in support," London, 14 April 2010 [info]
- Talk by ICAR staff members at City University's Centre for Disability and Social Inclusion.

The Humanitarian Studies Course, Boston, 18-28 April 2010 [info]
- Course organized by Brigham and Women's Hospital's Division of International Health and Humanitarian Programs.

"Environmentally Induced Migration and Climate Change," New York, 20 April 2010 [info]
- Seminar organized by UNITAR.

"Mitigating Risk of Gender-Based Violence," Addis Ababa, 27-30 April 2010 [info] [more info]
- Course organized by the Women's Refugee Commission, with support from the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Population, Refugees and Migration.

"The Common European Asylum Policy: Towards a Balanced, Flexible and Comprehensive System," Brussels, 29 April 2010 [info]
- Conference organized by the Centre for Parliamentary Studies.

[Photo credit: Environmentally induced Migration and Climate Change, UNITAR]

Tagged Events.

Washington, DC Events

If you happen to be in Washington, DC this week, take advantage of the following events:

American Society of International Law, 104th Annual Meeting, "International Law in a Time of Change," 24-27 March 2010 [info]
- Panels include: "Haiti: International Law and Disaster," March 25; "Occupation and Refugee Status: State Responsibility Arising out of War, Intervention, and Prolonged Foreign Territorial Control," March 26.

American University Washington College of Law, "Combating Human Trafficking and Forced Labor: The Obama Administration's Global Agenda," 24 March 2010 [info]

Refugees International and the British Embassy, "Climate Refugees" Screening, 25 March 2010 [info]
- Documentary film by Michael Nash. Visit the official web site for more information and a trailer.

Washington Office on Latin America, "Efforts to Combat Impunity in the Chocó and Implement the Rights of Afro-Colombian and Indigenous Internally Displaced Persons," 26 March 2010 [info]

Tagged Events & Opportunities.

Things to do in March/April deadlines

March opportunities:

"Different Needs – Equal Opportunities: Increasing Effectiveness of Humanitarian Action for Women, Girls, Boys and Men," IASC eCourse, available as of 8 March 2010 [info]
- Three hour, self-paced online course.

"Moving Pictures: Experiences of Migration," Oxford, 20-26 March 2010 [info]
- Photo exhibition.

"From research objects to active subjects: Reflections on the politics of researching asylum," ICAR Seminar Series 2010: Researching Asylum Seekers, Refugees and Migrants, City University, 25 March 2010 [info]
- Time: 4-5:30 pm

"Hidden and exposed: urban refugees in Nairobi, Kenya," Overseas Development Institute, 25 March [info]
- Time: 1:00-2:30 pm

April deadlines:

CARFMS10: Forced Migration - Challenges and Change, McMaster University, 6-8 May 2010 [info]
- Deadline for early registration is 5 April 2010; travel subsidy applications due by 18 April 2010.

Strengthening Prevention and Response to Gender-Based Violence (GBV) in Refugee and Internally Displaced Person (IDP) Settings, Nairobi, 12-23 April 2010 [info]
- Two-week course.

CFP: LGBTI Asylum Seekers & Refugees: A Case of Double Jeopardy?, University of Greenwich, 5-7 July 2010 [info]
- Submit paper proposals for this conference by 16 April 2010.

CMRS Short Courses, American University in Cairo [info]
- Two courses are on offer: "Meeting the Psychosocial Needs of Refugees," 6-10 June and "Introduction to International Refugee Law," 20-24, 26 June; the application deadline for both is 26 April 2010.

"Assessing Public Health in Emergency Situations," Université catholique de Louvain, 5-16 July 2010 [info]
- Apply for this two-week course by 30 April 2010.

Tagged Events & Opportunities.

Legal Events & Opportunities: Meetings, Training Resources

Ongoing:

Refugee Law Reader [access]
- This "on-line model curriculum for the study of the complex and rapidly evolving field of international asylum and refugee law" is now available in French, Russian and Spanish.

Upcoming:

"Renewing U.S. Commitment to Refugee Protection: The 30th Anniversary of the Refugee Act of 1980," Human Rights First & Georgetown University Law Center, Washington, DC, 16 March 2010 [info]
- Symposium with the High Commissioner for Refugees as a special guest.

UPDATED: "The European Court of Justice and the European Court of Human Rights as 'asylum courts'," ELENA Training Course, Prague, 7-9 May 2010 [info]
- Deadline for registration is 24 March 2010.

39th Annual Conference of the Indian Society of International Law, New Delhi, 24-25 April 2010 [info]
- One of the conference themes will be "Forced Migration: Emerging Global Legal & Policy Issues." Submit paper proposal by 15 April 2010.

"European Union Law and Policy on Immigration and Asylum," European Summer School, Université Libre de Bruxelles, 28 June-9 July 2010 [info]
- The "aim of the Summer School is to provide its participants with an comprehensive understanding of the immigration and asylum policy of the European Union from a legal point of view."

Tagged Events & Opportunities.

Things to do in February, March and April

"Theory vs Policy? Connecting Scholars and Practitioners," International Studies Association Annual Convention 2010, New Orleans, 17-20 February 2010 [info]

"Access to Natural Resources, Human and Humanitarian Rights, Justice and Essential Medicines," 15th Annual Humanitarian Conference, Webster University, Geneva, 18-19 February 2010 [info]
- The meeting will focus on three themes: Access and Outreach to Victims and Communities at Risk; Access and Value of Political and Civil Rights; and, Access to Natural Resources, Economic and Social Development.

"Promoting Better Protection of Internally Displaced Persons," Brookings-Bern Project on Internal Displacement, Washington, DC, 19 February 2010 [info]

Refugee Law Courses, International Institute of Humanitarian Law, Sanremo, various dates beginning 13-16 April 2010 [info]
- Registration deadline for first course is 12 March 2010.

"The Meaning and Practice of Immigration Detention: Perspectives from Legal, Political, and Social Theory," Oxford, 21 May 2010 [info]
- Deadline for submitting papers is 2 April 2010.

"Global Health Challenges of Tomorrow," Dubai International Humanitarian Aid and Development Conference, Dubai, 4-6 April 2010 [info]

"Statelessness and International Law," RSC Short Course, Oxford, 16-18 April 2010 [info]

Tagged Events & Opportunities.

More February Deadlines

Here are two calls for papers with rapidly approaching deadlines:

- A special journal issue on forced migration and mobilities research seeks papers "analysing environmentally induced migration from a mobilities perspective." The deadline is 5 February 2010.

- The deadline for submitting abstracts for the CRS Annual Student Conference, "(Un) Routed Identities: Borders, Boundaries, and Betweens," has been extended to 15 February 2010.

Tagged Events & Opportunities.

February Deadlines

"The Forty Years' Crisis: Refugees in Europe, 1919-1959," Birkbeck College London, 15-17 September 2010 [info]
- Submit abstracts of proposed papers by 1 February 2010.

"Dialogues between Academia and Practice," RSC Public Seminar Series, Oxford [info]
- The series is held weekly and runs through 10 March; the first Feb. seminar will be 3 February 2010.

Arthur C. Helton Fellowship Program, American Society of International Law, Washington, DC [info]
- Submit your application by 12 February 2010.

"Essentials of Humanitarian Practice," RedR, UK [info]
- Next training takes place 15-19 February 2010.

"Investigating and Prosecuting Trafficking in Human Beings," Academy of European Law, Trier, Germany, 22-23 March 2010 [info]
- Register by 22 February 2010 for discounted rates.

[Photo credit: FMO, "Eastern European refugees in Germany, 1953"]

Tagged Events & Opportunities.

Human Trafficking: Events, Resources

- In the U.S., President Obama has declared January 2010 as "National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month"; this dovetails with National Human Trafficking Awareness Day on January 11th.

- A topical research digest on "Human Rights and Human Trafficking" has been compiled by Human Rights and Human Welfare, the book review resource.

- More papers are available from the First Annual Interdisciplinary Conference on Human Trafficking, held last year in October.

- The ILO has published Forced Labour and Human Trafficking: Casebook of Court Decisions. A training manual for judges, prosecutors and legal practitioners (2009).

- Also available is "An agenda for change: Implementing the platform for action against human trafficking" from the OSCE's Special Representative whose three-year term just ended 31 December 2009.

Tagged Events & Opportunities and Publications.

Things to do in January

(updated)

Apply for the Center for Gender and Refugee Studies (CGRS) "Teaching Fellowship in Refugee and Human Rights Law" by 15 January 2010.

Submit an abstract for the CRS Student Conference, "(Un) Routed Identities: Borders, Boundaries, and Betweens," which will be held at York University in Toronto, 8-9 April 2010. Deadline is 15 January 2010.

Participate in the next "Researching Country of Origin Information" Blended Learning Course, 25 January-19 February 2010, in Vienna. Apply by 18 January 2010.

Apply for the "Protection Project Legal Internship Program Spring 2010" by 22 January 2010. The "recipient will be responsible for a number of projects related to human rights, including conducting legal research, editing human trafficking publications, and assisting in the organizations of workshops and conferences, both nationally and internationally."

Write a paper for the CARFMS 2010 conference, which will be held at McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada, 6-8 May 2010. The theme is "Forced Migration: Challenges and Change," and abstracts are due by 30 January 2010.

Submit an article to Forced Migration Review's themed issue on "Disability and Displacement"; contributions are due by 31 January 2010.

Register for the Refugee Council's 2010 Conference, "From theory to practice: How asylum policy impacts on the refugee experience," which will be held on 5 February 2010.

Write a paper for the IFRC's Disaster Law Working Paper Series. Manuscripts are accepted on an ongoing basis.

Tagged Events & Opportunities.

Publications: Child Asylum Claims, COP15 Roundup, Discrimination Guidelines, Protracted Situations, Top 10 Humanitarian Crises

Combating Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance through a Strategic Approach (UNHCR, Dec. 2009) [text]
- See related press release.

Conclusion on protracted refugee situations, No. 109 (LX) - 2009 (EXCOM, Dec. 2009) [text]

COP15 Roundup from a Climate Change, Migration and Displacement Focus (Towards Recognition, Dec. 2009) [text]

Guidelines on International Protection No. 8: Child Asylum Claims under Articles 1(A)2 and 1(F) of the 1951 Convention and/or 1967 Protocol relating to the Status of Refugees (UNHCR, Dec. 2009) [text]

Top Ten Humanitarian Crises of 2009 (MSF, Dec. 2009) [text]

Tagged Publications.

From "climate refugees" to "climate change-induced displacees"?

See IRIN's "Good news for climate change migrants" for an update on discussions in Copenhagen. Apparently, there is agreement on "the need to consider planned relocation for people displaced by climate change, with 'interstate cooperation' to respond to their needs."

The article also notes that the "term 'climate refugees' was first mentioned in the adaptation text at talks in Bonn, Germany, in June. The term has been dropped, but the need to help people who 'either cross an international border as a result of, or find themselves abroad and are unable to return owing to, the effects of climate change' has gained prominence." The new term under consideration to refer to such people is "climate change-induced displacees."

Worldbridge, Refugees International's blog, had an interesting post on the increased use in the media of the phrase "climate refugees." Noting that under international law one cannot be termed a "refugee" when natural disaster is the cause of flight, the author ponders possible alternatives and their acronyms: "People displaced by climate change (PDCCs)? Climate displaced people (CDPs)? People affected by climatic events (PACEs)?".

In contrast, an article I referenced earlier in the year highlights the fact that in Tuvalu and Kiribati, two Pacific nations under great pressure from climate change, there is a "a wholesale rejection of the 'refugee' label, at both the political and community levels."

[Photo credit: Mirwais Bezhan/IRIN]

Tagged Events & Opportunities and Publications.