University of Geneva Asylum and Refugee Conference
The University of Geneva is hosting an asylum and migration conference starting tomorrow. Prominent immigration professors, researchers, and others will be discussing immigration and asylum issues in both sides of the Atlantic. I am in Geneva with many UC Davis faculty, including Vice Provost and Associate Chancellor, Global Affairs Joanna Regulska, Professors of Law Leticia Saucedo, Brian Soucek, and Rose Villazor and Professors Robyn Rodriguez (Asian American Studies), Phil Martin (Ag Econ), Keith Watenbaugh (Religious Studies) and Jeannette Money (Political Science),
The first day is a workshop among invited participants. The second day is open for the public. It will be an enriching couple of days in Geneva.
Update (10/11): The first day of closed workshops of researchers and officials of international organizations led to a fruitful discussion of global refugee and migration issues The participants compared notes on responses to Syrian refugees in Europe and the U.S. response to Central American asylum seekers. Donald Trump’s proposals on migration and refugee issues came up a few times. In addition, the group heard about the September 2016 New York Declaration.
The second day was devoted to a public symposium on global migration and refugee issues. The panels include
Priorities for international cooperation
Knowledge and policy in comparative perspective
The architecture of international governance. I moderated this panel and Professor Jeannette Money of UC Davis gave a great presentation.
Innovating the normative framework
Conclusions and ways forward. It was announced that UC Davis would hold a follow-up conference on refugees and migrants.
KJ