Summary of How Can We Protect “Climate Refugees”?
Climate change is increasingly a source of migration, and those numbers are predicted to grow as global warming causes more extreme weather events. Currently, there are no enforceable legal mechanisms under international law to protect individuals displaced by climate change other than a patchwork of frameworks and processes available between different actors.
Summary of Understanding the Evolving Nature of Refugee Sponsorship in Canada: A preliminary investigation into the rise of family-linked sponsorship
The ability to name refugees for private sponsorship has largely transformed Canada’s Private Sponsorship of Refugees Program (PSRP) into a program characterized by family reunification, creating an echo effect phenomenon. This preliminary study surveys family-linked sponsorship and its impact on newcomer integration. It finds that nearly 95% of PSR sponsorships since 2002 have been family-linked and that integration experiences differ depending on the sponsor and sponsorship types.
Summary of Temporary Protection in Times of Crisis: The European Union, Canada, and the Invasion of Ukraine
The authors compare he EU Temporary Protection Directive (TPD) and the Canadian Canada-Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel (CUAET) in terms of their date of activation, eligibility, visa policy, length of protection, ability to work or study, settlement and integration needs, any caps, long-term access to residence, financial assistance offered, and any costs or fees associated with accessing temporary protection. The authors conclude by considering the unprecedented utilization of temporary protection mechanisms and how this precedent will impact the long-term dynamics in immigration policy.
Summary of a Tale of Two Contexts: the Ukrainian and Afghan Refugee Crises in Canada and the UK
This report provides a comparative study of Canada’s and the United Kingdom’s (UK) responses to Ukrainian and Afghan refugees and how these countries classified them as deserving or undeserving of protection. The authors call for more research into identitarian characteristics, caution against the conflation of these characteristics, and call for deeper exploration of geopolitical considerations in assessing refugee welcoming responses.
Summary of Confronting Compassion Fatigue: Understanding the Arc of Public Support for Displaced Populations in Turkey, Colombia, and Europe
The report tracks the lifeline of public support for refugees in Turkey, Columbia, and Europe where solidarity with newcomers bloomed at the start of the displacement, but gradually diminished over time. This report considers some of the common characteristics in the communities and identifies issues that policymakers must consider to combat this trend.
Summary of Expanding Protection Options? Flexible Approaches to Status for Displaced Syrians, Venezuelans, and Ukrainians
This report examines responses by host governments in Turkey, Latin America, the Caribbean, and the European Union (EU) to understand why these governments prioritized temporary immigration measures over refugee or asylum-based measures. It further examines how the chosen measures fulfilled the normative and practical requirements of providing protection.
Summary of the University Corridors for Refugees (UNI.CO.RE) Program in Italy (2019-2023) Evaluation Report
This report evaluates the editions of the University Corridor for Refugees (UNICORE) program from 2019-2023. UNICORE aims to provide education pathways for refugee students and thereby contribute to the alternative protection pathways for refugees aspired by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and as enshrined in several international commitments.
Summary of Improving Stakeholder Coordination in Refugee Resettlement
Drawn upon interviews with stakeholders from five countries, this study explores the multilevel partnership in the refugee resettlement process and the importance of communication and consultation between stakeholders with different motivations.
Executive Summary of Envisioning a Way Forward: Climate Displacement Legal Strategy Convening
The International Refugee Assistance Project (IRAP) hosted a two-day gathering with legal scholars, practitioners, activists, and advocates to collectively advance solutions for climate displacement. Emerson Collective and the National Resources Defence Council (NRDC) co-hosted the event. The primary objective of the meeting was to foster agreement and advance a collaborative, solution focused approach across multiple organizations in support of the emergence of a legal protection framework while laying the groundwork for a working group.
Summary of Financing Complementary Education Pathways for Refugees: Existing Approaches and Opportunities for Growth
Despite the emergence of complementary education pathways and their positive results, there are a number of complex barriers to scaling these programs, most notable the unpredictability of long-term funding to sustain and grow the programs. This report explores opportunities for growth in financing complementary education pathways by outlining three financing approaches based on lessons learned from existing approaches: 1) Loan-Based Financing, 2) Employer-Sponsored Financing, and 3) Results-Based Financing.
Summary of From Safe Homes to Sponsors: Lessons from the Ukraine Hosting Response for Refugee Sponsorship Programs
Hosting initiatives, where private citizens provide their own homes as short-term accommodation to those fleeing war, was remarkable after the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The program was successful because it provided a swift response to an urgent situation without relying on social housing or asylum reception systems. The program’s achievements offer valuable lesson to incorporate into sponsorship efforts.
Summary of Why Matching Matters: Improving Outcomes in Refugee Sponsorship and Complementary Pathways
Where and with whom refugees are matched in community sponsorship and complementary pathway programs matter a great deal. However, majority of government-led matching and placement sponsorship initiatives do not consider the individual refugees’ capacities, attributes, skills, or preferences, and rarely take into account placement in the interest of integration outcomes. These authors consider how community sponsorship and resettlement programs can be improved by utilizing technology that facilitates a more effective matching system by considering refugees’ characteristics, skills, and needs.