International Institute of Human Rights and United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees announce Summer Course on Refugees.
International Institute of Human Rights
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
Information Notice
12th Summer Course on Refugees
15—26 June 2009
1. Presentation of the Summer Course on Refugees
The UNHCR BO in France and the International Institute of Human Rights are jointly organizing, for the twelfth consecutive time, a Summer Course on Refugees. This two-week course will be held from Monday, 15th June, to Friday, 26th June 2009, In Strasbourg, France. It is a training on refugee law in French provided by UNHCR's experts as well as specialists from academic, institutional, judiciary and NGO backgrounds.
2. Aims of the Summer Course on Refugees
This training aims to promote education on international refugee law and a better knowledge of fundamental principles governing the international protection of persons falling under the UNHCR's mandate.
The Course also has as an objective to develop among participants, a common understanding of new challenges affecting the international protection of refugees and asylum seekers as well as actions allowing to strengthen mechanisms for their protection.
3. Methodology of the Summer Course on Refugees
The program offers a double scope, universal and regional, of the refugee situation in the world. Authoritative courses, discussion on topical questions, a practical case study and a jurisdiction simulation exercise are offered to participants.
At the end of the course, an evaluation determines the level of knowledge of each participant and leads to certification.
4. Participation to the Summer Course on Refugee
The course targets individuals whose professional or research activity contribute to the reinforcement of protection mechanisms for persons falling under the UNHCR's competency, in particular central and local representative authorities (including military), lawyers and magistrates, professors and student at post graduate level or staff of intergovernmental and nongovernmental organizations.
Applicants are eligible under the following conditions:
a) Applicants must have completed four years study or be holder of an equivalent diploma at the time of the session;
b) Applicants must have in-depth experience in refugee or human rights fields;
c) Applicants must have a proficiency in the speaking and writing of French language.
This course is mainly targeting UNHCR's counterparts and partners; as a consequence applications sent by UNHCR staff members, JPOs and UNVs will not be considered in priority.
Scholarships: Grants are provided to selected applicants who have insufficient financial resources to'participate to the course. However, due to the limited number of grants, priority will be given to applicants from developing countries.
Grants will cover, partially or integrally, the following expenses:
a) Travel expenses, at the most economic rate (including visa costs), between the applicant's place of residence and Strasbourg. Any other travel-related expenses (e.g., taxi) should be borne by the applicant;
b) Course fees (350 €);
c) Documentation;
d) Housing in university residence during the duration of the course, namely from Sunday, 14th June, to Saturday, 27th June 2009;
e) Meals.
Grant holders should plan a sufficient amount of money to cover their personal expenses.
We draw scholarship applicants' attention to the simplicity of housing conditions in university residence.
Applicant registrations as well as scholarship applications should be done on line, by March, 15th 2009, on the International Institute of Human Right's website, section "Teaching activities", under heading "Summer Course in refugee law": http://www.iidh.org/cours.php.
In case Branch offices meet some problem with the on line inscription, they can send their candidates' registration forms and scholarship applications filled out, by email, to Mrs. Veronique Robert: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. who will forward them to the Institute.
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