SHORT COURSE ON URBAN REFUGEES December 9 -13, 2013 Bangkok, Thailand

BACKGROUND ON THE SHORT COURSE ON URBAN REFUGEES The Short Course on Urban Refugees aims to strengthen participants’ capacity, expertise and knowledge in working on urban refugee issues in the region. The course is an interdisciplinary overview on urban refugees covering political, legal, social, economic as well as programmatic aspects. The course will be spread over four days and two modules. The first module of the course will examine responses by civil society, government, international organisations and intergovernmental organisations, and develop an understanding of how to better promote and protect the rights of urban refugees. This part will also provide an overall picture of the urban refugee situation in the context of the larger forced migration debate. The second module of the course looks at programmatic aspects, such as developing and planning projects for urban refugees and how refugee communities can be included in this aspect. This module will also focus on financing for refugee programmes and provide an overview of potential funding sources, technical know-how and skills. The course will be concluded by a half-day field trip to visit urban refugee projects on Day 5. The short course will: • Develop understanding of the legal, political and social contexts related to urban refugees • Outline activities of major institutions involved in refugee protection and advocacy • Detail gaps and challenges as well as the solutions and best practices • Develop practical skills in areas of advocacy, service provision, programming and fundraising Topics covered will include: -­‐ An overview of the urban refugee situation and the forced migration debate in Southeast Asia -­‐ The legal and policy framework of the international refugee protection regime -­‐ An introduction of the role of UNHCR (refugee identification, durable solutions, collaboration with civil society) -­‐ Advocating for urban refugee rights on the international and regional levels -­‐ Implementing refugee rights in domestic law -­‐ Programming for urban refugee projects -­‐ Coping strategies of urban refugees -­‐ Financing and fundraising for urban refugee projects [The in-class component will be delivered over four consecutive days in Bangkok through a combination of lectures and small group work. The last day of the course will include a half-day field trip to urban refugee projects in Bangkok, which will enable participants to understand firsthand the conditions and challenges of NGOs and the refugees that they are serving.

The course will be presented by some of the leading experts working on refugee issues in the region. They include academics, activists, pro-bono lawyers, UNHCR representatives and NGO workers. The course is a joint initiative between he Asia Pacific Refugee Rights Network and the Institute of Human Rights and Peace Studies (IHRPS) at Mahidol University, Thailand – the course is co-hosted by the Thai Committee for Refugees Foundation (TCR). This course is supported by the UNHCR, Oak Foundation, Open Society Foundations and Planet Wheeler Foundation.

DATES AND VENUE December 9 – 12, 2013 Bangkok, Thailand (Venue to be confirmed)

PARTICIPANTS The course is intended for individuals already working on urban refugee issues in Southeast Asia, whether through service provision, advocacy or academic research. It is expected that participants will come from the following sectors: NGO workers, policy makers, lawyers, paralegals, caseworkers, researchers, post-graduate students and refugees themselves. Although the course will give preference to participants from Southeast Asia, those situated outside the region are also encouraged to apply.

REQUIREMENTS Applicants should have: • Experience in working with, or on issues related to, urban refugees • Proficiency in the English language: The course will be conducted in English and no translation facilities are provided, participants should therefore have a sufficient command of English language.

ACCREDITATION Participants will receive a Certificate of Participation from the Institute of Human Rights and Peace Studies, Mahidol University and APRRN.

APPLICATION PROCEDURE The deadline for application for admission to the course is October 14, 2013. Early applications (especially for scholarships) are encouraged. To register for the course please click here.

FEES AND FINANCIAL SUPPORT The registration fee for the short course is 100 USD (non-refundable) and needs to be paid in cash by all participants on the first day of the course. APRRN will be able to offer a limited number of participants support with costs related to attending the course – this support will only cover flight costs and accommodation (other related costs such as local transport, visa, airport taxes, per diem etc. will need to be covered by the

 

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participants themselves). Breakfast (if you are staying at the venue), lunch and two coffee breaks will be offered for all participants.

CONTACT INFORMATION Inquiries about the course, local accommodation and logistics should be directed to the APPRN Secretariat at [email protected] or [email protected]. Asia Pacific Refugee Rights Network 7th Floor, Ploy Mitr Building 81 Sukhumvit Soi 2 Bangkok, Thailand Web: www.aprrn.info Tel: +66 (0) 2252 6654 Skype: aprrn_skype

 

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