Global South Reflections on a Routes-Based Approach to Protection

In June 2024, UNHCR proposed a “routes-based approach” to advance protection and solutions. This new approach is potentially a paradigm shift in humanitarian responses to migration because of how it restructures protection support from a siloed country-based to integrated routes-based programming. According to UNHCR, the approach offers “rights-based alternatives to externalization proposals and expulsion practices, while helping States to manage the challenges around irregular movements, including return, in line with their international obligations.” A stated goal is to better manage “mixed flows” by helping to alleviate global North asylum systems while encouraging expansion of legal pathways for migrants. A related goal is to reduce the threat and harm occurring along the routes.

While a whole-of-route approach is a step forward in the coordination of multilateral and multistakeholder responses to increased mixed flows towards the Global North, it also raises important questions from a Global South perspective.

This webinar will explore these perspectives by fostering a discussion between UNHCR and three IDRC Research Chairs based in two regions of the Global South most implicated in the development and implementation of this new approach: Latin America and North Africa.

Panelists:
Matthew Bird
IDRC Research Chair, Universidad del Pacífico, Peru
https://carleton.ca/lerrn/people/matt...

Myriam Cherti
IDRC Research Chair, Mohammed VI Polytechnic University Morocco
https://carleton.ca/lerrn/people/myri...

Madeline Garlick
Chief, Protection Policy and Legal Advice Section, Division of International Protection, UNHCR Geneva
https://carleton.ca/lerrn/people/made...

Moderator: James Milner | LERRN Project Director

Organized by:

LERRN is a team of researchers and practitioners committed to promoting protection and solutions with and for refugees. The goal is to ensure that refugee research, policy and practice are shaped by a more inclusive, equitable and informed collective engagement of civil society.

LERRN Website: https://carleton.ca/lerrn/
Twitter:   / lerrning   @Lerrning
Facebook:   / lerrning  
LinkedIn:   / lerrning  

The IDRC Research Chairs on Forced Displacement are developing their field of study from a Global South perspective to contribute to long-lasting solutions to the challenges of forced displacement. Drawing on many disciplines, they are committed to excellence in research, curriculum development, teaching and mentoring young scholars. They work with impacted communities, support localized agenda-setting, amplify the voices of displaced people and host communities and advocate with policy stakeholders at local, national and international levels to ensure a strong link between research and policy.

Website: https://idrc-crdi.ca/en/initiative/id...
Twitter: https://x.com/IDRC_CRDI
Facebook:   / idrc.crdi  
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/idrc...

UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency works to ensure that everybody has the right to seek asylum and find safe refuge, having fled violence, persecution or war at home.

Website: https://www.unhcr.org/
Twitter: https://x.com/Refugees
Facebook:   / unhcr  
LinkedIn:   / unhcr  

Links to Resources:
UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), Guidelines on International Protection No. 14: Non-penalization of refugees on account of their irregular entry or presence and restrictions on their movements in accordance with Article 31 of the 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees, HCR/GIP/24/14, 23 September 2024, https://www.refworld.org/policy/legal...

UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), UNHCR Guidelines on international legal standards relating to family reunification for refugees and other beneficiaries of international protection, December 2024, https://www.refworld.org/policy/legal...

UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), Legal considerations regarding claims for international protection made in the context of the adverse effects of climate change and disasters, 1 October 2020, https://www.refworld.org/policy/legal...

BS Chimni, “The Geopolitics of Refugee Studies: A View from the South”, Journal of Refugee Studies, Volume 11, Issue 4, 1998, Pages 350–374, https://academic.oup.com/jrs/article/...

IFRC’s Routes-based approach and programming:
https://www.ifrc.org/our-work/disaste...

0:00 Introduction
8:56 Introduce the team
12:21 UNHCR's Perspective
27:44 Context of the Americas
42:00 Context of North Africa
55:20 Q&A
1:34:39 Conclusions