27 October 2011
This Briefing looked at the work of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), one of the world’s foremost humanitarian agencies. With over 7, 190 staff members working in 123 countries, UNHCR provides protection and assistance to millions of refugees, returnees, internal displaced people and stateless persons. Mr. António Guterres is currently serving his second term as High Commissioner which will conclude on 14 June 2015.
The Briefing began with opening remarks from the High Commissioner in which he cited the importance of the interflow of communication between civil society, governments and international organizations, specifically highlighting this as a key element of modern democracy. Mr. Guterres acknowledged the need for further consultation with NGOs to fully develop a mutually beneficial partnership between UNHCR and the NGO Community. In particular, he mentioned UNHCR’s Partnership in Action Programme, which established a framework for cooperation and plan of action between UNHCR and over 800 NGOs around the world.
Mr. Guterres stated that these partnerships are increasingly important as global challenges multiply and distinctions between politics and humanitarian action continue to blur. With over 43 million refugees worldwide, it is critical that the gaps between words and action within the international protection regime be effectively addressed.
Key points raised during the question and answer session include such issues as:
- There is a need for greater transparency in choosing NGO partners and for a mechanism which would allow for greater NGO input based on a more mutually beneficial relationship between UNHCR and its NGO associates.
- Statelessness was the most forgotten part of the human rights agenda, systematically neglected by the international community. 2011 marks the 50th anniversary of the Convention on the Reduction of Stateless. To date only 40 countries have ratified the Convention. The High Commissioner expressed the view that there should be a global campaign to address this issue and encourage more Member States to ratify and/or accede to the Convention.
- New conditions such as climate change, water scarcity and food insecurity have challenged the legal definition of who is a refugee which is still broadly defined by the key word “persecution.” The international community needs to discuss ‘protection gaps’ for refugees and seriously consider how to address those who do not fit into the current definition. Although all global markets are regulated, the movement of people is very difficult to control.
- The best support NGOs could give to the work of UNHCR is to from a global alliance which would force Governments to adopt a human rights approach to the issue of migration.
For more information please review the programme
The Briefing was attended by 89 NGO representatives.