Emerging Trends in Refugee Law - Refugee Law Seminar and Advocacy Skill Workshop

Recognizing the great response from the university students participating in the National Refugee Law Moot Court Competition, FMCC organized, in collaboration with the Civil Society Resource Center (CSRC), a follow-up activity to further encourage the students’ interest in refugee law. Based on the students’ proposals for follow-up activities, Refugee Law and Advocacy Skills trainings were held under the title “Emerging Trends in Refugee Law”. The trainings included an intensive one-day seminar on Refugee Law, as well as an interactive half-day long workshop on advocacy skills. The trainings were given to undergraduate law schools at three Ethiopian universities; Addis Ababa University (December 9^th and 10^th), Jimma University (December 14^th and 15^th) and Hawassa University (December 17^th and 18^th).

The students, mostly composed of 3rd to 5th year law students, showed great enthusiasm to learn more about Refugee Law as well as to gain practical advocacy skills. The trainings further highlighted the relevance of Refugee Law courses, especially in countries hosting large numbers of refugees. Participating students, from all three universities, raised their shared desire for more Refugee Law related courses at undergraduate level. As a result, the students took part in advocacy exercises, so they can advocate for various issues including for more courses to be offered at their respective universities. All in all, the trainings served as foundation for the students’ future careers as lawyers, advocates or in other roles as legal advisors.