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:

  1. Promote law, principles and policies related to the international protection of refugees;
  2. Raise awareness on the need for durable third country solutions by way of complementary pathways;
  3. Produce advocacy recommendations and calls to action from participants for States and other relevant stakeholders to expand access to complementary pathways;
  4. 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

Prof. Geoff Gilbert

Professor of International Human Rights & Humanitarian Law in the School of Law and Human Rights Centre at the University of Essex

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

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)
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