American University of Beirut

Introduction to Refugees and Forced Displacement Studies

​​​This online crash course is offered by the Issam Fares Institute for Public Policy and International Affairs (IFI) at the American University of Beirut in collaboration with UNHCR. It is designed to gather expertise from leading organizations, and equip students with essential knowledge on this subject. We are excited to have you join us for this focused and efficient learning experience.

Course Overview

This course is for students interested in forced displacement studies. Students will gain a comprehensive understanding of refugees, including the legal framework, coordination, and protection mechanisms, as well as potential solutions. 

The course does not qualify for any university credit, but participants who engage throughout the course will receive a certificate of completion.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this crash course, participants will:

  1. Understand the history, causes, and implications of forced displacement, including key definitions, concepts, and the legal and policy frameworks that govern it.
  2. Explain the scale, scope, and coordination mechanisms of humanitarian responses in both emergency and protracted situations, and identify the key actors involved.
  3. Gain a comprehensive understanding of international protection principles and community-based protection approaches.
  4. Recognize and critically assess the three conventional durable solutions for refugees, along with the complementary or alternative pathways and their significance in refugee protection.

Module Format

This course is designed to be flexible and engaging, allowing participants to learn at their own pace. The primary content is delivered through self-paced material on Moodle, which includes 4 modules to be completed by students. To enhance the learning experience, weekly live sessions with guest speakers will be held, offering opportunities for real-time discussions, Q&A, and interaction with the speakers.​​

Schedule​

Week 1 - Introduction and Orientation

    October 21 - October 25, 2024.

    Online meeting: Thursday, October 24, 2024,  at 12:00 pm.

Week 2 -  Module 1: Understanding Forced Displacement and Its Governing Legal Framework

    October 28 - November 1, 2024.

    Online guest speaker session: Thursday, October 31​, 2024, at 12:00 pm

Week 3 - Module 2: Coordination Mechanisms

    November 4 - November 8, 2024.

    Online guest speaker session: Thursday, November 7, 2024, at 12:00 pm

Week 4 - Module 3: Protection and How It Is Applied

    November 11 - November 15, 2024.

    Online guest speaker session: Thursday, November 14, 2024, at 12:00 pm

Week 5 - Module 4: Durable Solutions

    November 18 - November 22, 2024.

    Online guest speaker session: Thursday, November 21, 2024, at 12:00 pm

Week 6 - Final Assignment​

    November 25 - November 29, 2024.

 Online session for the final presentation of the assignment on Thursday, November 28 at 12:00 pm.

 Contact Person and Registration

For registration and further information, please send your full name and major to Project ​Coordinator Nadia Nameh on: nn71@aub.edu.lb

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