Course Description
This online certificate course introduces learners to the international system for protection of Stateless Persons, and the reduction and prevention of statelessness. Addressing Statelessness is an imperative in today’s world, given that there are more than 10 million persons who are Stateless. Yet, the global efforts to tackle the problem has not been enough due to various factors, which the course grapples with. The course begins with the conundrums of defining ‘stateless persons’ and debates surrounding the distinction between de jure and de facto stateless persons. Participants will then analyze the international legal framework for protection of Stateless persons as enshrined in the 1954 Convention relating to the Status of Stateless Persons, before moving on to the procedures for Statelessness Status Determination, the role of UNHCR, and the challenges thereto. The next segment of the course focuses on the limitations of a protection regime and the need for amplifying efforts to reduce and ultimately prevent Statelessness, as laid out in the 1961 Convention on the Reduction of Statelessness. The course specifically looks at issues related to acquisition of nationality by children, and then focuses on the contemporary challenges.
This e-learning course is designed to provide a comprehensive picture to participants on what the international system for the protection of stateless persons is, why does statelessness occur, what are the needs of stateless persons, what are the available legal protections, which are the relevant actors involved in their protection and what are the challenges facing today’s stateless persons. The course is based on a dynamic pedagogy including reading materials, video clips, case studies, and interactive webinars with the instructor as well as officials of UNHCR.
The course can either be taken stand-alone or as part of the Professional Development Online Diploma on Human Rights and Forced Displacement.
Course Outline
- Week 1: Defining Statelessness: the de jure and the de facto
- Week 2: International legal framework for protection of stateless persons
- Week 3: Statelessness Status Determination and the Role of UNHCR
- Week 4: International legal framework for reduction of Statelessness
- Week 5: Prevention of Statelessness and the Rights of the Child
- Week 6: Contemporary challenges in the context of Statelessness
Who Should Apply
The course is intended for staff members of NGOs and government agencies advocating for and working on statelessness, staff of inter-governmental agencies and others interested in these issues. Candidates should have a good written command of English and have high competence and comfort with computer and Internet use.
About the Instructor
Dr. Mihir Kanade (India) is the Director of the UPEACE Human Rights Centre and is also the Head of the Department of International Law and Human Rights at UPEACE. His principal area of academic research and study is Human Rights and Globalization, covering several themes within that interface including forced migration, sustainable development, indigenous peoples’ rights, public health, trade and investment, amongst others. He has extensive experience in training staff of inter-governmental, governmental and non-governmental organizations, as well as professionals, in the field of human rights. He acts as an advisor to several human rights organizations and corporations on issues related to human rights and international law. He is also an adjunct faculty at Universidad Alfonso XI El Sabio (Spain), Cheikh Anta Diop University (Senegal), and Long Island University (United States). He has a LL.B from Nagpur University (India) and a Masters degree and PhD from UPEACE. Prior to his pursuit in academia, Mihir practiced for several years as a lawyer in the Bombay High Court and in the Supreme Court of India, focusing on issues of fundamental human rights violations. He has taught numerous professional certificate online course on the protection of refugees and stateless persons over the last eight years.
How to register:
To apply, please send an email to admissions@hrc.upeace.org along with your CV and a short Statement of Purpose (not more than 500 words) indicating the motivation for taking the course. Applicants will be contacted within three working days of the application. The course is limited to 25 participants.