The Arab Renaissance for Democracy and Development (ARDD) and Birzeit University (BZU) are pleased to announce an intensive advanced short courses series for researchers and practitioners (UN personnel, diplomats, journalists, grassroots organizations, researchers, activists) on the Palestine refugee issue. The course intends to provide must-have knowledge regarding the Palestinian refugee question’s historical, political, legal, and humanitarian ramifications. The course traces down the origin of the Palestinian refugees and the evolution of the Palestinian physical and political fragmentation, within the Palestinian context and beyond, and provides an indispensable understanding to better engage with the issue.
Objective:
This course will provide participants with a comprehensive overview of the Palestinian refugee question in the context of the development of the international refugee and human rights regimes and the responses that the international community has provided to Palestinian refugees compared to other contemporary refugee movements. The distinctive regime set up for Palestinian refugees (made of UNCCP, UNRWA, UNHCR) and their status and treatment in over seventy countries will be illustrated, together with an overview of their fundamental rights and entitlement to protection and durable solutions. By the end of the course, participants will have a solid understanding of the different international stakeholders involved in the QoP and their humanitarian, political and legal response to the Palestinian refugee question.
Methodology
Due to COVID19 restrictions, the courses will be offered initially online. Essential course materials will be distributed both ahead of the start of and during each course. The course will consist of 13 sessions of 45 minutes each over two days (From 9:00 am to 5:00 pm Jerusalem time).
At the end of the course, participants will be invited to join a panel with representatives from academia, grassroots organizations, journalism, UNRWA and UNHCR (including Palestinian refugees themselves). This will allow participants to test what they have learned through the course and discuss in person with practitioners involved in the daily life of Palestinian refugees.
Language
The course will be offered in English and Arabic (depending on the speaker) with simultaneous translation.
Participants
Each course will be open to a maximum of 20 participants. Interested participants may be lawyers, personnel of UN and NGOs, government officials, journalists, activists, and researchers interested in gaining a better understanding of the Palestinian refugee question.
Facilitators and Guest Speakers
The course will be facilitated primarily by the authors of Palestinian Refugees in International Law (Oxford University Press, 2020), Francesca Albanese, Coordinator of ARDD Question of Palestine Program, Dr. Lex Takkenberg ARDD Senior Policy Advisor (both former UNRWA staff), and academic staff from BZU, including Professor Asem Khalil, Dr. Raed Eishnaiwer and others (to be confirmed in due course). Distinguished guest speakers will be invited primarily from ARDD’s Global Network on the Question of Palestine.
Program Synopsis
- Foundations & Current State of Affairs
- History of Palestine and its people, including the origin of Palestinian displacement and its evolution
- The normative and institutional regime for Palestinian refugees
- The value of international law ‘as a whole’ in protecting the Palestinians
- Legal features and political dynamics Palestinian refugees/dispersal worldwide: from the Arab world to Europe, the Americas, and Asia-Pacific and Africa
- Zooming in on rights and solutions
- Right to self-determination
- Right of return, compensation/restitution
- The relevance of a human rights-based approach to Palestinian refugees
- Negotiating solutions for Palestinian refugees
Fees and Scholarships
Palestinians can apply for fully paid Scholarships
The course fees: USD 350 per non-Palestinian participant – paid in advance.
Course dates:
- 29 – 30 May 2021, Application deadline is 26 May 2021 (11:00 pm Jerusalem time) / the course is over
- 26-27 June 2021, Application deadline is 22 June 2021 (11:00 pm Jerusalem time) / the maximum number for this course has been reached and applications will be considered for the next available dates. Thanks
- 28-29 August 2021, Application deadline is 24 August 2021 (11:00 pm Jerusalem time)
- 30-31 October 2021, Application deadline is 26 October 2021 (11:00 pm Jerusalem time)
The course will be held from From 9:00 am to 5:00 pm (Jerusalem time)
Registration and applying for a seat
Please fill up the following form:
