Annual Course on Refugee Law and Protection in Practice for Postgraduate Students and Junior Professionals
4 September – 20 October 2023
Live sessions of the Course will be held from 5.00 pm to 7.00 pm, Rome time. Please, click here to check your time zone.
The Course will be delivered in English.
Description
The Course presents the key aspects of the international protection of refugees, focusing on the practical application of the rules and principles of international law in refugee situations.
The program chronologically guides participants through the different phases of the displacement cycle, elaborating the applicable international legal framework, refugee status determination procedures, specific vulnerabilities in displacement, refugees’ rights and responsibilities and durable solutions. The Course also dives into the modern complexities of international protection of refugees, such as mixed movements, including the interplay with phenomena such as climate change.
Objectives
This course is primarily designed with the aim of achieving the following objectives:
- Promote law, principles and policies related to the international protection of refugees.
- Develop a common understanding among participants on how legislation and policies can be promoted and implemented at the national level by a variety of stakeholders.
- Raise awareness on the human rights issues faced by refugees and the need for durable solutions.
- Develop the skills of participants in applying principles and standards in conformity with International Law.
- Encourage participants’ pursuit of career pathways in refugee protection.
Target audience
The Course is envisaged as an introductory program tailored specifically to the needs of postgraduate students or recent graduates, as well as junior professionals who are taking their first steps into a career in the area of refugee protection through international organizations, non-governmental and civil society organizations, government institutions and legal aid channels.
Participants are required to have solid active and passive command of English language to be able to effectively participate in the Course sessions (no simultaneous interpretation is available).
Participants are not expected to have a legal background or specific previous knowledge of international refugee law.
Structure and Methodology
The Course strikes a balance between theory and practice and is delivered through a participatory and creative teaching methodology, aimed at facilitating the learning process and implementing the knowledge gained throughout the training. Sessions include lectures, presentations, case studies, group work, audio-visual support, and other activities, which respond to the various learning styles of a diversified audience.
The Agenda consists of 14 synchronous sessions delivered across a period of seven weeks, with two weekly sessions. Each week includes two types of sessions:
- Theoretical sessions: Interactive sessions that establish the theoretical framework, focusing on the rules and principles of international refugee law, delivered by experienced academics and practitioners of an international background.
- Practical sessions: Interactive sessions that put the content of the theoretical sessions in practice, based on a case study that permeates the entire course and evolves with the flow of the sessions. Each practical session is based on an exercise such as a role play, theatre or simulation, allowing the participants’ full immersion in the topic.
Synchronous sessions are delivered via Zoom for Education. Each session is in the duration of 120 minutes.
Selected participants are granted access to the relevant course page on the Institute’s Online Learning Platform, where they may access a pool of resources relevant to the sessions, including bonus video sessions, submit feedback and assignments and ask questions for the facilitators, to which they receive individual feedback in writing.
Application deadline, Scholarships opportunities and Official Certificate
Candidates are invited to register for the Course by 30 July 2023.
A limited number of scholarships is available for the Course and are therefore allocated only in the selection process that follows after the application deadline. In deciding upon the recipients of scholarships, the Institute looks to establish a cohort balanced in terms of geographical representation, gender, educational/professional background and other elements that contribute to a rich, diverse discussion.
The Registration Form offers the possibility of indicating that the applicant is in need of a scholarship. Applicants with a personal background in forcible displacement are particularly encouraged to apply.
The official Certificate will be awarded only to participants who attend the Course in full including participation in live sessions and completion of relevant assignments.
Administrative Information
The participation quota amounts to EUR 750 and must be remitted before the beginning of the Course by bank transfer. Visa and/or MasterCard are also accepted methods of payment through the website of the Institute.
Queries on the Course registration and administrative support should be directed to admission.unit@iihl.org.
Technical Information
The Online Courses of the Institute are hosted on the IIHL Learning Platform