Introduction to Refugees and Forced Displacement Studies

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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 the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (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 individuals interested in forced displacement. Participants 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:

Learn about the history, causes, and implications of forced displacement, including key definitions, concepts, and the legal and policy frameworks that govern it.
Understand the scale, scope, and coordination mechanisms of humanitarian responses in both emergency and protracted situations, and identify the key actors involved.
Gain a comprehensive understanding of international protection principles and community-based protection approaches.
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

November 3 - November 7, 2025.

Online meeting: Thursday, November 6, 2025, at 12:00 pm.

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

November 10 - November 14, 2025.

Online guest speaker session: Thursday, November 13, 2025,at 12:00 pm

Week 3 - Module 2: Coordination Mechanisms

November 17 - November 21, 2025.

Online guest speaker session: Thursday, November 20, 2025, at 12:00 pm

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

November 24 - November 28, 2025.

Online guest speaker session: Thursday, November 27, 2025, at 12:00 pm

Week 5 - Module 4: Durable Solutions

December 1 - December 5, 2025.

Online guest speaker session: Thursday, November 4, 2025, at 12:00 pm

Week 6 - Final Assignment

December 8 - December 12, 2025.

The final presentation of the assignment on Thursday, December 11 at 12:00 pm (Suggested to be in-person at IFI building at-AUB Campus)

Contact Person and Registration

For registration and further information, please send the following to Project Coordinator Nadia Nameh ([email protected]):

Full name
Major
University/institution
Reason you are interested in the course

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