Annual Refugee Course in Tanzania Trains Advocates

Refugee Rights News
Volume 2, No. 4
November 2005

The Centre for the Study of Forced Migration (CSFM) at the University of Dar Es Salaam has taken an innovative approach to promoting the rights of refugees in East Africa. It convenes an annual East African School on Refugee and Humanitarian Affairs designed to only to enhance the regional knowledge about forced migration, but also to benefit from a regional approach.

The most recent course held from September 3 rd to 16 th brought together students from Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania to benefit from the lessons learned by regional and international experts.

This year’s course brought together 32 participants and more than ten experts from across the region (the organizers take particular effort to promote the participation of women.) Experts were drawn from civil society, international organizations, academia and government, and they addressed topics ranging from an overview of forced migration today to the challenges of educating refugees. Zachary Lomo, Director of the Refugee Law Project of Uganda, conducted presentations on children in refugee situations and the security implications of refugee movement in Uganda. Laura Kiluli of the International Labor Organization presented on the reproductive rights of refugees, while academics such as Dr. Bonaventure Rutinwa, of the University of Dar es Salaam lectured on refugee law and policy. The government of Tanzania was represented by Mr. Johnson Brahim of the Directorate of Refugee Services, who discussed refugee policy in Tanzania.

The course also drew on international expertise. Erin Mooney, Senior Advisor to the Special Representative of the Secretary General on the Human Rights of IDPs addressed how to use the Guiding Principles on IDPs and emerging issues in IDP protection.

This course, the seventh such course convened by the CSFM, has contributed to developing a core of qualified professionals better equipped to address the challenges of protecting the displaced in East Africa.