International Geneva
Global Refugee Forum
Landmark forum seeks ‘better answers’ to refugee response
By Simon Bradley
Dec 16, 2019 – 06:00
Rohingya refugee children attend a UNHCR-funded school in Klang, near Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on February 19, 2019.
(Keystone / Ahmad Yusni)
The first-ever “Global Refugee Forum” opens in Geneva on Monday to identify practical solutions to improve the lives of refugees and host communities. But weaknesses remain in its underlying framework, say critics.
Around 2,000 people are expected for the international conference in the Swiss city, which runs from December 16-18. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey, home to 3.5 million refugees, will be among the VIPs rubbing shoulders with other government delegates, officials from international organisations, NGOs, companies and foundations, and 60 refugees.
“The Geneva meeting is a landmark opportunity to take stock and, more importantly, to act,” said UN Deputy High Commissioner for Refugees Kelly Clements.
“We need better answers for how we actually respond to forced displacement.”
UNHCR wants participants to share best practices on refugee and asylum policies and hopefully announce solid commitments and pledges – from financial to resettlement numbers. Key topics include employment and education opportunities for refugees, their environmental impact, energy and infrastructure, protection, cooperation and responsibility-sharing.
The Swiss Federal Council has approved voting in favour of a United Nations resolution that calls for better international cooperation in …
Categories: Arab World, Asia, Europe, Europe and Australia, United Nations
I had opened two education projects by Humanity First in Jordan. see:
https://binged.it/35rIhYU
Unfortunately all these efforts are just like ‘ a drop on a hot stone ‘. Much more needs to be done, first on foremost to promote PEACE! MUCH BETTER !