Asylum, Borders & Human Rights

According to the UN High Commission for Refugees, there are over 45 million refugees and asylum-seekers worldwide. Who are they? What rights do they have as border crossers? What are the obligations and powers of states that receive refugees, and how is this reflected in the way that borders are managed?

In this online, one-hour mini-course, Durham University migration scholars Dr Lauren Martin and Dr Léonie Newhouse unpack key terms like ‘refugee’, ‘asylum-seeker’, and ‘migrant’, analyse the lasting impact of the 1951 Geneva Convention on the Status of Refugees and the 1967 Protocol, as well as a range of other treaties and agreements that impact the status of refugees and the borders that they cross.

Who should attend? 

The workshop will be of value to anyone wanting to gain background knowledge of Asylum, migration and related human rights, such as: 

• Junior Ministers 
• Diplomatic support staff 
• Practicing lawyers
• Refugee advocates
• Consultants and researchers
• Students and academics 

This course is appropriate for legal and refugee rights practitioners, students, academics, journalists and others who seek to deepen their knowledge of this fascinating topic at the intersection of Geography, History, International Relations and Law. It is not necessary to complete our online ‘Introduction to International Boundaries’ course prior to this one as they cover significantly different material.

About the course 

The course consists of an hour of video content and concludes with a short exercise where you will be asked to apply details about refugee and asylum-seeker law to a country of your choosing.

The videos can be watched in your own time and will be available for review as long as your licence is active. You will not need to complete the course in one go but can fit it around your schedule as required. 

The practical exercise will be assessed by our tutors and returned with comments. 

Upon registering and paying for your course, you will be sent the link to our online learning platform along with a password to allow you access. You will then have 30 days to complete the course and submit your exercise to the tutors. Tutors will be available to respond to basic questions through the online portal. 

Upon completion of the course, IBRU will provide you with a certificate of attendance to evidence that you have completed the course. 

Language

The course is available in English

Programme 

Video 1: Introduction and Overview

Video 2 : People and Borders in International Law 

Video 3 : Soft Law & Treaties

Assessment: Assessment Exercise Policy Brief

Course Tutors 

Dr Lauren Martin - Associate Professor, Geography Department, Durham University

Dr Léonie Newhouse - Assistant Professor, Geography Department, Durham University   

What Does it Cost?

The cost of the course is £100 per person

If you are a student in full time or part-time education, the cost of the online course is £50 per person. (If you are a student you must register with an email address associated with an educational institution.) 

The fee includes access to the online learning portal for 30 days. During these 30 days you will be able to complete the course by viewing the online videos and submitting the practical exercise. You will also be able to access lead course tutors for questions and clarification. Course tutors will provide feedback on your practical exercise after you have completed the course. 

How to Book 

Complete the booking form and we will send you a link to the payment page.

The details you give at this stage (email and name) will be the details you use to log in to the online portal. 

When you have booked and paid for the course, IBRU will send you a welcome email which includes a link to the online learning portal along with a password to access the course. 

Please allow up to 72 hours to receive the email with the password and access to the online course after payment has been made. At a weekend this will take longer as access can only be granted Monday-Friday. Your 30 days will begin from the date you are emailed the password and enrolment instructions. 

If you would like to make a group booking or are unable to pay via credit card, please contact IBRU.admin@durham.ac.uk to discuss alternate arrangements. 

Images: Refugees on a boat Pixabay, Shinkiari Refugee camp Pixabay, Kalhh Pixabay, DVIDSHUB Flikr, Refugees behind fence Pixabay