GE2015-17
Persecution, war, and massacre seem far from our daily lives in Hong Kong and we only hear about them through the news. According to the UNHCR, since the war raged in Syria and the conflict erupted in Ukraine, the number of refugees, asylum-seekers, and internally displaced people worldwide has reached almost 60 million at the end of 2014, which is an increase of 60% from a decade ago. In addition, both the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) and the Ebola and MERS-CoV outbreaks have caused deep anxiety around the globe.
Talk
2015 has been marked by continued conflicts across the world and an increase in the numbers of forcibly displaced persons at a scale not seen since the Second World War. Be it in Italy and Europe, or off the coast of Thailand and Malaysia, issues of migration and refugee protection are as prominent on the international community's agenda as they ever were. This presentation aims to provide an introduction to the international refugee protection framework, looking at the recent trends in forced displacement and UNHCR's role in providing for our Persons of Concern, both globally and domestically.
Speaker*: Ms. Janet Wang
Ms. Janet Wang completed her university studies in Diplomacy and World Affairs at Occidental College. In 2003, she worked at the UN Office of the Special Representative for Children and Armed Conflict where she researched and wrote recommendations on monitoring and reporting mechanisms for General Assembly and Security Council reports. She then went on to receive her Master’s Degree in Economic and Political Development at Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs. She first became involved in UNHCR in Geneva where she was responsible for researching and writing eligibility guidelines for
UNHCR officers conducting refugee status determination (“RSD”). She then obtained her legal qualification from BPP Law School in the United Kingdom. Ms. Wang also has field experience in various development contexts in Ghana, Uganda, Haiti and China. She has worked for UNHCR Sub-Office Hong Kong in various capacities since 2013.
* Mr. Ambrose Chiu is unable to be the speaker of this session due to an unforeseen business engagement.
Language: English
Dates: 26/10 (Mon)
Time: 18:45 – 20:45
Venue: KK101
Simulation
Founded in 1995, Crossroads Foundation is a Hong Kong based, non-profit organisation serving a global need. It aims to provide an intersection, literally a crossroads, to bring together those who are in need and those who can provide help.
In this simulation, participants face simulated attacks, mine fields where they may be ‘injured’, life in a refugee camp, hunger, illness, and uncertain shelter or safety. Participants may also be marched under guard, subjected to ambush and, ultimately, offered a chance of re-settlement where they must re-build their lives.
Speaker: Mr. David Begbie
Mr. Begbie is the Director of the Crossroads Foundation's Global X-perience programme. The experiential simulation programmes have seen over 100,000 participants since they started in 2006. He is also a senior spokesman for Crossroads. In 2007, he was awarded the inaugural Red Cross Humanity Award for service to the poor, both within Hong Kong and internationally.
Language: English
Date: 31/10 (Sat)
Time: 09:00 – 14:00
Venue: Crossroads Village, Tuen Mun
Quota: 20
Fee: $50
GE2015-17A – Talk only
GE2015-17B – Talk plus Simulation
Registration for Talk only (starts on 11/9):
For HKU students and staff: https://hkuems1.hku.hk/hkuems/ec_regform.aspx?ueid=39295
For public: https://hkuems1.hku.hk/hkuems/ec_regform.aspx?guest=Y&ueid=39296
Talk
2015 has been marked by continued conflicts across the world and an increase in the numbers of forcibly displaced persons at a scale not seen since the Second World War. Be it in Italy and Europe, or off the coast of Thailand and Malaysia, issues of migration and refugee protection are as prominent on the international community's agenda as they ever were. This presentation aims to provide an introduction to the international refugee protection framework, looking at the recent trends in forced displacement and UNHCR's role in providing for our Persons of Concern, both globally and domestically.
Speaker*: Ms. Janet WangMs. Janet Wang completed her university studies in Diplomacy and World Affairs at Occidental College. In 2003, she worked at the UN Office of the Special Representative for Children and Armed Conflict where she researched and wrote recommendations on monitoring and reporting mechanisms for General Assembly and Security Council reports. She then went on to receive her Master’s Degree in Economic and Political Development at Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs. She first became involved in UNHCR in Geneva where she was responsible for researching and writing eligibility guidelines for
UNHCR officers conducting refugee status determination (“RSD”). She then obtained her legal qualification from BPP Law School in the United Kingdom. Ms. Wang also has field experience in various development contexts in Ghana, Uganda, Haiti and China. She has worked for UNHCR Sub-Office Hong Kong in various capacities since 2013.
* Mr. Ambrose Chiu is unable to be the speaker of this session due to an unforeseen business engagement.
Language: English
Dates: 26/10 (Mon)
Time: 18:45 – 20:45
Venue: KK101
Simulation
Founded in 1995, Crossroads Foundation is a Hong Kong based, non-profit organisation serving a global need. It aims to provide an intersection, literally a crossroads, to bring together those who are in need and those who can provide help.
In this simulation, participants face simulated attacks, mine fields where they may be ‘injured’, life in a refugee camp, hunger, illness, and uncertain shelter or safety. Participants may also be marched under guard, subjected to ambush and, ultimately, offered a chance of re-settlement where they must re-build their lives.
Speaker: Mr. David BegbieMr. Begbie is the Director of the Crossroads Foundation's Global X-perience programme. The experiential simulation programmes have seen over 100,000 participants since they started in 2006. He is also a senior spokesman for Crossroads. In 2007, he was awarded the inaugural Red Cross Humanity Award for service to the poor, both within Hong Kong and internationally.
Language: English
Date: 31/10 (Sat)
Time: 09:00 – 14:00
Venue: Crossroads Village, Tuen Mun
Quota: 20
Fee: $50
GE2015-17A – Talk only
GE2015-17B – Talk plus Simulation
Registration for Talk only (starts on 11/9):
For HKU students and staff: https://hkuems1.hku.hk/hkuems/ec_regform.aspx?ueid=39295
For public: https://hkuems1.hku.hk/hkuems/ec_regform.aspx?guest=Y&ueid=39296
Schedule:
| Date | Time | Venue |
| 26 Oct 2015 | 18:46 - 20:46 | KK101 |
| 31 Oct 2015 | 09:00 - 14:00 | Crossroads Village, Tuen Mun |