This certificate course introduces learners to the international system for protection of Stateless Persons, and the reduction and prevention of statelessness. Addressing Statelessness is an imperative in today’s world, given that there are more than 10 million persons who are Stateless. Yet, the global efforts to tackle the problem has not been enough due to various factors, which the course grapples with. The course begins with the conundrums of defining ‘stateless persons’ and debates surrounding the distinction between de jure and de facto stateless persons. Participants will then analyze the international legal framework for protection of Stateless persons as enshrined in the 1954 Convention relating to the Status of Stateless Persons, before moving on to the procedures for Statelessness Status Determination, the role of UNHCR, and the challenges thereto. The next segment of the course focuses on the limitations of a protection regime and the need for amplifying efforts to reduce and ultimately prevent Statelessness, as laid out in the 1961 Convention on the Reduction of Statelessness. The course specifically looks at issues related to acquisition of nationality by children, and then focuses on the contemporary challenges
This e-learning course is designed to provide a comprehensive picture to participants on what the international system for the protection of stateless persons is, why does statelessness occur, what are the needs of stateless persons, what are the available legal protections, which are the relevant actors involved in their protection and what are the challenges facing today’s stateless persons. The course is based on a dynamic pedagogy including reading materials, video clips, case studies, and interactive webinars with the instructor.
- Teacher: Mihir Kanade