Prof. Geoff Gilbert
Professor of International Human Rights & Humanitarian Law in the School of Law and Human Rights Centre at the University of Essex
The Refugee Law and Migration Center at the Iustinianus Primus Law Faculty, University Ss. Cyril and Methodius-Skopje in cooperation with the UNHCR Representation in North Macedonia and the International Institute of Humanitarian Law in Sanremo, through its Department of International Refugee Law and Migration Law, are hosting the Pilot Advanced Thematic Forum on International Refugee Protection [the Forum].
The Pilot edition will focus on the topic of Complementary Pathways, relating to the objectives of the Global Compact on Refugees in the context of third country solutions. Complementary pathways enable access to solutions when traditional durable solutions are not achievable for all members of a refugee population, particularly in large scale and protracted situations.
When
Wednesday, 26 January, 2022
* Schedule times are given in CET (Central European Time)
Where
- Online
- Zoom Conference Call
Organized by
— Refugee Law and Migration Center at the Iustinianus Primus Law Faculty at Ss. Cyril and Methodius University in Skopje
— UNHCR Representation in North Macedonia
— International Institute of Humanitarian Law (Sanremo, Italy)
Application Closed
Deadline: 13.12.2021
Event Details
Objectives
The overall objective of the Forum is to convene distinguished experts and an international audience of academics and practitioners with advanced knowledge in the field of refugee protection, development and education, drawing on their experience to produce recommendations for expanding complementary pathways, with a special focus on education pathways.
The specific objectives of the forum are:
- Promote law, principles and policies related to the international protection of refugees;
- Raise awareness on the need for durable third country solutions by way of complementary pathways;
- Produce advocacy recommendations and calls to action from participants for States and other relevant stakeholders to expand access to complementary pathways;
- Invite universities and other stakeholders to pledge support for education pathways and advocate for their expansion.
Methodology
The one-day online Forum will be delivered on Wednesday 26 January 2022 via Zoom for Education.
Selected participants will be referred to an Online Learning Platform one month before the Forum, gaining access to compiled reference materials and space for feedback and questions on the topic in preparation for the event.
Participants will be invited to provide advocacy recommendations for expanding complementary pathways at the end of the event, with a particular focus on education pathways. These recommendations will serve as basis for an advocacy paper prepared by the organizers after the Forum.
The Forum will be delivered entirely in English language.
Participant Profile
The Forum invites applications from:
- University professors, lecturers, PhD candidates, independent researchers and other members of academic institutions;
- Government officials working in an area related to refugee protection, migration management, development or education;
- Members of local civil society organizations and international NGOs working directly with refugees, particularly those with experience of supporting complementary pathways;
- Members of international organizations with mandates relating to refugee protection, migration, development and other related fields.
Given the advanced character of the Forum, applicants with previous experience on the topic will be given preference in the selection process. Participants will be selected on a competitive basis and participation does not involve a registration fee.
Meet Our Speakers
Ms. Anna Gekht
Senior Complementary Pathways Officer, Division of International Protection (DIP), UNHCR
Ms. Michelle Manks
Co-Chair, Global Taskforce on Third Country Education Pathways, Senior Manager - Durable Solutions for Refugees, WUSC
Mr. Rudi Osman
Directeur and Porte Parole, Union des Étudiants Exilés
Mr. Aleksandar Godzo
Attorney at Law, North Macedonia
Ms. Elizabeth Downing
Resettlement and Complementary Pathways Officer, UNHCR Representation in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Mr. Lorenzo Leotardi
Protection Associate, UNHCR Representation for Italy, the Holy See and San Marino
Prof. Marco Borraccetti
Associate Professor, Department of Political and Social Sciences, University ofBologna, Italy
Schedule
Set in CET (Central European Time)
Forum 2022
26/01/2022
Opening
o Refugee Law and Migration Center / Iustinianus Primus Law Faculty, Skopje, North Macedonia
o United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees – Representation in North Macedonia
o International Institute of Humanitarian Law – Sanremo, Italy
Keynote: Complementary Pathways and Responsibility Sharing for Refugee Protection
Prof. Geoff Gilbert
Professor of International Human Rights & Humanitarian Law in the School of Law and Human Rights Centre at the University of Essex
Break
Minimum Standards for Education Pathways
Mr. Rudi Osman
Directeur and Porte Parole, Union des Étudiants Exilés
Ms. Anna Gekht
Senior Complementary Pathways Officer, Division of International Protection (DIP), UNHCR
Ms. Michelle Manks
Co-Chair, Global Taskforce on Third Country Education Pathways, Senior Manager - Durable Solutions for Refugees, WUSC
Global Taskforce on Third Country Education Pathways, Canada
Case Study: North Macedonia – Legal Conduciveness for Education Pathways
Mr. Aleksandar Godzo
Attorney at Law, North Macedonia
Mr. Aleksandar Godzo, Attorney at Law, North Macedonia
Break
Good Practices: University Corridors for Refugees, Italy
Ms. Elizabeth Downing
Resettlement and Complementary Pathways Officer, UNHCR Representation in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Prof. Marco Borraccetti
Associate Professor, Department of Political and Social Sciences, University ofBologna, Italy
Mr. Lorenzo Leotardi
Protection Associate, UNHCR Representation for Italy, the Holy See and San Marino
o United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees – Representation for Italy, the Holy See and San Marino
o University Partner (To be confirmed)
Summary of Recommendations and Closing Ceremony
o Refugee Law and Migration Center / Iustinianus Primus Law Faculty, Skopje, North Macedonia
o International Institute of Humanitarian Law – Sanremo, Italy
EN 
MK