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Refugee protection has undergone numerous developments. The increase in the numbers of refugees and internally displaced persons (IDPs) over past decades and the responses by States pose new challenges to protection under international law. The Refugee Studies Centre wished to provide a forum to identify and address challenges to refugee protection from the perspective of the individual as a subject of rights in international law. This initiative aimed to enhance the understanding of the complex issues that arise from current challenges to protection and to facilitate collective intellectual efforts in this field, contributing to the development of creative solutions.

This Conference marked the beginning of events organised to commemorate the 25th Anniversary of the Refugee Studies Centre. The RSC wanted to promote the debate among academics, governments, international organisations, NGOs, practitioners, policy-makers and others on issues of refugee protection by bringing discussions on refugee protection within the broader framework of related areas of international law, including international human rights law and international humanitarian law. 

Key speakers included:

  • Professor Guy Goodwin-Gill, Senior Research Fellow, All Souls College, University of Oxford.
  • Professor Walter Kälin, Representative of the UN Secretary-General on the human rights of internally displaced persons, and Member of the UN Human Rights Committee.

Annual Harrell-Bond Lecture

The Annual Harrell-Bond Lecture is named in honour of Dr Barbara Harrell-Bond, the founding Director of the Refugee Studies Centre. It is held each year in Michaelmas term.

Annual Elizabeth Colson Lecture

The Annual Elizabeth Colson Lecture is held in Trinity term. It is named after Professor Elizabeth Colson, a renowned anthropologist.

Public Seminar Series

Each term the RSC holds a series of public seminars, held on Wednesday evenings at Queen Elizabeth House. Click here for details of forthcoming seminars.

Connect with us

To keep up to date with our events and activities, sign up for email alerts from the RSC and Forced Migration Review, and connect with us on social media.

Forthcoming events

A celebration of the life of David Turton

Saturday, 20 July 2024, 2pm to 3pm @ The Crypt Cafe, St Peters Church, Northchurch Terrace, London N1 4DA