Forced Migration

Course Description

With more than 80 million persons forced to flee their homes because of conflict and violence--and tens of millions more displaced due to natural disasters--how should the international community respond? What are the international law norms that apply to forced migration, and what are the central challenges facing refugees and the countries that host them? What has been the impact of climate change and of the COVID pandemic on forced migrants? How should the international refugee regime be reformed? 

This course is required for the Certificate in Migration Studies.

Course Outline

Week One:

• Displacement today
• The history and practice of international protection

Week Two:

• Who is a 'refugee': international and regional definitions
• Gender-based persecution and refugee status

Week Three:

• The rights of refugees and the responsibilities of states
• The impact of COVID-19 on forced migrants

Week Four:

• The international refugee regime: norms and institutions
• Measures taken by states (US, Australia and others) and in Europe to deter the arrival of asylum-seekers

Week Five:

• Internal displacement: the response of the international community
• Climate and forced migration

Week Six:

• Solutions to long-standing refugee situations and international responsibility-sharing
• New thinking on refugee protection and the international refugee regime