Rethinking the Global Refugee Protection System
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The Center for Migration Studies of New York (CMS) hosted a free event on its initiative, “Rethinking the Global Refugee Protection System,” from 8:30am-12:00pm on June 16, 2017 in the Town Hall Room at Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson LLP (801 17th Street, NW , Washington, DC 20006).
The event built upon CMS’ three-day symposium in 2016 with representatives from states, the UN system, supranational entities, academia, and leading non-governmental organizations on cutting-edge ideas to re-conceptualize and strengthen the global refugee protection system. In conjunction with the symposium, CMS commissioned papers on different aspects of the refugee protection system by leading scholars. These papers are part of a special edition of our public policy journal, the Journal on Migration and Human Security (JMHS), available at https://cmsny.org/cms-research/refugeeproject/.
With the number of displaced in the world at an historically high level, and with more than 21 million refugees worldwide, experts featured in this event discussed the challenges confronting the global refugee protection system, including US refugee policy, and offered possible reforms to the global and US refugee protection systems.
Agenda
8:30AM – 8:50AM
REGISTRATION AND LIGHT BREAKFAST
8:50AM – 9:00AM
WELCOME AND INTRODUCTION TO THE DAY
9:00AM – 10:15AM
EXAMINING REFORMS TO THE GLOBAL REFUGEE PROTECTION SYSTEM
Panelists discussed possible reforms to the global refugee protection system, including responsibility-sharing, global resettlement, and gaps in protection in the context of the Global Compact on Refugees being considered by the United Nations.
- Moderator: Michele Pistone, Professor of Law and Director, Refugee and Emigrant Services (CARES), Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law; Associate Editor, Journal on Migration and Human Security, Center for Migration Studies
- Donald Kerwin, Executive Director, Center for Migration Studies
- Ninette Kelley, Director – New York Office, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)
- Jennifer Podkul, Director of Policy, Kids in Need of Defense (KIND)
10:30AM – 11:45AM
IMPROVING US REFUGEE POLICY UNDER A NEW ADMINISTRATION
Panelists laid out needed improvements to US refugee policy, including reforms to the US refugee program. Responses to proposals by the current administration were discussed.
- Kevin Appleby, Senior Director of International Migration Policy, Center for Migration Studies
- Karen Grisez, Special Counsel, Public Service Counsel, Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson LLP
- Melanie Nezer, Senior Vice President of Public Affairs, HIAS
- David Robinson, Executive Director, Jesuit Refugee Service/USA
- Todd Scribner, Education Outreach Coordinator, Migration and Refugee Services, US Conference of Catholic Bishops
11:50AM – 12:00PM
CLOSING REMARKS
Multimedia
Rethinking the Global Refugee Protection System | Welcome and Session I
Jun, 30 2017 Posted in Event VideoRethinking the Global Refugee Protection System | Session II
Jun, 30 2017 Posted in Event VideoRelated Research
US and Global Refugee Protection System
Related Publications
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Another Story: What Public Opinion Data Tell Us About Refugee and Humanitarian Policy
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David Hollenbach, S.J.
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Jeff Crisp and Katy Long
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Donald Kerwin
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