This course can be taken as stand-alone, or as part of the Diploma in Human Rights and Forced Displacement.
Course Description
This certificate course engages in an in-depth study and analysis of the contemporary international and regional systems for protection of refugees. Issues concerning international protection of refugees have undergone a sea change from the 1950s when the international instruments for protection of this vulnerable group of persons was first adopted. The contemporary world order poses serious challenges to their protection, beginning with identifying refugees within mixed migratory flows, inadequate national policies by states to protect them, their incompatibilities with international law, the challenges to durable solutions, the role of international organisations and bodies like the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), issues of xenophobia and security in host countries amongst various other issues.
This e-learning course is designed to provide a comprehensive picture to participants on what the international system for the protection of refugees is from the international and regional perspective, what are their needs and available legal protections, which are the relevant actors involved in their protection and what are the challenges facing today’s refugees and host countries. The course also analyses the regional systems protection with the help of selected case studies. It further explores the emergence of the new Global Compact for Refugees, its challenges and prospects. The course is based on a dynamic pedagogy including reading materials, video clips, case studies, and interactive webinars with the instructor as well as officials of UNHCR.
Course Outline
- Week 1: Contemporary international framework for refugee protection
- Week 2: Refugee Status Determination and the role of UNHCR
- Week 3: Durable Solutions
- Week 4: Protection of refugees, gender and rights of the child
- Week 5: International and Regional legal mechanisms for protection
- Week 6: Contemporary challenges to protection of refugees
Who Should Apply
The course is intended for staff members of NGOs and government agencies advocating for and working on the protection of refugees, staff of inter-governmental agencies and others interested in these issues. Candidates should have a good written command of English and have high competence and comfort with computer and Internet use.
About the Instructor
Dr. Mihir Kanade (India) is the Director of the UPEACE Human Rights Centre and is also the Head of the Department of International Law and Human Rights at UPEACE. His principal area of academic research and study is Human Rights and Globalization, covering several themes within that interface including forced migration, sustainable development, indigenous peoples’ rights, public health, trade and investment, amongst others. He has extensive experience in training staff of inter-governmental, governmental and non-governmental organizations, as well as professionals, in the field of human rights. He acts as an advisor to several human rights organizations and corporations on issues related to human rights and international law. He is also an adjunct faculty at Universidad Alfonso XI El Sabio (Spain), Cheikh Anta Diop University (Senegal), and Long Island University (United States). He has a LL.B from Nagpur University (India) and a Masters degree and PhD from UPEACE. Prior to his pursuit in academia, Mihir practiced for several years as a lawyer in the Bombay High Court and in the Supreme Court of India, focusing on issues of fundamental human rights violations. He has taught numerous professional certificate online courses on the protection of refugees and stateless persons over the last eight years.
How to register:
To apply, please send an email to admissions@hrc.upeace.org along with your CV and a short Statement of Purpose (not more than 500 words) indicating the motivation for taking the course. Applicants will be contacted within three working days of the application. The course is limited to 25 participants.