On the occasion of World Refugee Day, VIT-AP School of Law, VIT-AP University, Andhra Pradesh, organised an event on June 21, 2021 jointly with the Centre for Stateless-ness and Refugee Studies, Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Mumbai, along with United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, India.
The inaugural session followed by national webinar on Global Compact on Refugees in fostering Laws, Policies and Practices vis-Ã -vis Protection and care.
The daylong national webinar deliberated upon the importance of Global Compact on Refugees and reminded the State parties to be bound by the obligations of the sovereign States. Experts from academia, civil society, practitioners, refugee organisations and students have participated in the programme.
The Global Compact on Refugees (GCR) has following broad four objectives: (i) ease pressures on host countries; (ii) enhance refugee self-reliance; (iii) expand access to third country solutions; and (iv) support conditions in countries of origin for return in safety and dignity, with relevant indicators framework. Are the objectives specified in GCR, recast of earlier durable solutions? Or do they have new meaning in text and context was discussed in national webinar.
Yukiko Koyama, Senior Protection Officer, UNHCR, India stressed upon the relevance of Global Compact on Refugees for the protection of the refugees and Stateless people across the world.
Dr Arvind Tiwari Dean School of Law TISS, Mumbai gave the presidential address and Prof Samir Kumar Das, Former Vice-Chancellor of University of North Bengal delivered the keynote address.
Dr Parivelan K.M Chairperson of Centre for Statelessness and Refugee Studies at TISS Mumbai explained the importance of the occasion. Dr Benarji Chakka, Dean, VSL, welcomed the chief guest, participant, students, faculty and staff and chaired the session on Global Compact on Refugees and Legal and Policy issues.