THE ASIA PACIFIC REFUGEE RIGHTS NETWORK (APRRN) REFUGEE RIGHTS AND ADVOCACY COURSE 2022

BACKGROUND
The APRRN Refugee Rights and Advocacy Course is an annual capacity-building activity organised by the Asia Pacific Refugee Rights Network (APRRN), in collaboration with academic partners and experts, purposed to increase knowledge, develop critical human-rights understanding relevant to forced migration, and strengthen the capacity of advocates for refugee rights in the Asia Pacific region. The course this year will be conducted in partnership with the Institute of Human Rights and Peace Studies of Mahidol University, and the Centre for Applied Human Rights of the University of York.

This fully online course will be delivered through a combination of lectures, case studies and small group work. The basic structure will be three-hour sessions (tentatively planned for Tuesdays and Fridays) where regional experts and practitioners will engage with issues around refugee rights, and advocacy planning, followed by group work, case study investigations, and in-depth sessions with practitioners.

Participants are expected to conduct background reading and minor research throughout the course. Participants will be given the opportunity to put to use the knowledge and skills acquired through practical group work during the course. The course will be presented by some of the leading experts working on forced migration issues in the region.

The course will cover the following thematic areas:
1. Overview and updates on forced migration in the Asia Pacific
2. Intersectionality of forced migration issues between women, gender, and diversity
3. Planning, developing and implementing advocacy programmes for refugee rights
4. Trauma-informed practice
5. Inclusion of refugees and community engagement strategies for effective advocacy
6. Global developments in policies, international refugee law and relevant human rights law
7. Developing regional collaborations in the refugee sector
8. Engaging with protection mechanisms, policymakers and policy influencers at national, regional and global levels
9. Developing effective strategies and responding to challenges in national and regional level advocacy (e.g. working and advocating with      local authorities, engaging National Human Rights Commissions, strategic litigation, public narratives, media, etc.)

At the completion of the course participants are expected to:
- Have knowledge of the current legal and policy framework for refugees at the regional and international level
- Identify and engage with issues of current concern such as gender, health, discrimination and response
- Plan basic advocacy campaigns, including setting goals, identifying audiences and undertaking strategic planning

DATES AND STRUCTURE
Date: 27 September to 21 October 2022
Structure: Fully online, two days per week, three hours per day
Sessions will be conducted from 2:00pm to 5:00pm Bangkok time

PARTICIPANTS
- The course will receive 20 to 25 participants. The selection criteria will be prioritised for the following participants:
- Mid- to high-level staff in national, sub-regional or regional refugee-led or non-governmental organisations or civil society organisations      in the Asia Pacific or refugee advocates who are currently seeking asylum in the Asia Pacific
- Minimum of two years experience of working on forced migration or refugee rights issues
- Ideally some experience and background in policy and advocacy work (not required)
- Able to communicate in English (listening and speaking) as the course this year will be conducted only in English

APPLICATION PROCEDURE
The last date for the course application will be on 29 July 2022 (Friday) at 6:00pm Bangkok time.
To register for the course, kindly complete the form using this link: forms.gle/zWGtkjYfFA5i56Ri8

In addition to the online application, all applicants must provide a recommendation letter from the head of their organisation or an external organisation, sent to rachel@aprrn.org copying aprrn.progofficer1@gmail.com. The letter shall outline the reasons as to why the applicant is being endorsed to participate in the course. Shortlisted applicants will be informed by 15 August 2022 via email.

A registration fee of $100 USD will be applicable to all participants accepted into the course.

CONTACT INFORMATION
Enquiries about the course should be directed to the APRRN Secretariat at rachel@aprrn.org / aprrn.progofficer1@gmail.com.