The “Experience the U.N.” International Youth Delegation visits UNHCR

The delegation from the “Experience the U.N.” International Youth Program visited the UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency on July 20, 2018, where four experts introduced the UNHCR to them, and briefed them on some hot issues about the refugees. 

The students watched an introductory video about refugees and the agency. Ms. Vicky Tennant, special assistant at the UNHCR, explained the definition of refugees and internally displaced persons, the history, development and present challenges of the agency. Refugees are people forced to leave their places of residence due to war, conflict, political persecution and natural disasters, for instance, as defined by the International Convention on Refugees in 1951 and the 1967 UNHCR Protocol. The biggest crisis facing the agency today is the dramatic increase in the number of refugees, particularly from South Sudan and Syria. There are about 15,000 employees at the agency who work around the world where there are refugees and they regularly rotate. Ms. Tennant has worked in many places including Afghanistan and Pakistan, so she was able to better understand the lives of and difficulties facing refugees. She said that there are two main responsibilities of the agency, which are (1) to protect the rights of the refugees and (2) to seek out a solution. The most effective solution is to stop the conflicts, though it is often difficult. Therefore the agency mainly offers assistance such as voluntary repatriation, local integration and resettlement. She also emphasized that refugees are not terrorists, but victims. 

Ms. Jennifer Ghikas, director of resettlement service at UNHCR, held a discussion on refugee resettlement issues. She explained the definition of resettlement, requirements and processes. Whether a refugee could apply for resettlement depends largely on their vulnerability, for instance, women and children who are vulnerable, and refugees who have physical disabilities or who needs urgent assistance. Data shows that over the past few years, the number of refugees seeking resettlement kept increasing. On the other hand, the number of refugees that countries are willing to accept kept decreasing. Ms. Ghikas explained the requirements for resettlement, in particular, those who needs special protection such as women, children, those with medical needs, families that need to be reunited. Once they are approved as candidates for resettlement, refugees would be registered and go through a whole process of resettlement evaluation, needs evaluation, interviews and submission for approval. The system has a clear definition on refugees and clear set of explanations on the target for assistance and needs. This also applies to the screening of resettled persons, as it takes into consideration the disadvantaged and those who might contribute to the future of the world. She also explained that there are still many challenges such as local integration. In fact, the smooth integration of refugees to local society is the most difficult part because it involves a lot of issues such as language and employment. She said this is the direction that the agency is driving at. 

Ms. Sibylle Kapferer, senior legal coordinator of UNHCR, introduced several special situations in refugee resettlement. When a criminal becomes a refugee, they usually become special targets because they do not meet the security requirements of the host countries. Therefore it’s more difficult for these refugees to get protection. This is related to the viewpoint that treats “refugees as threats.” In fact, refugees and local residents of the host countries are complementary to each other. They should not be treated as the enemy, otherwise it would lead to greater disaster to the society. Every refugee has a different and often unbelievable story. The issue should be handled on a case by case basis. It also requires one to ensure world peace from a global perspective.

Ms. Rossella Pagliuchi-Lor, Director of External Relations, said that this was the first time the UNHCR received a delegation of Chinese students. She hoped that the visit could help the young people learn more about the refugee work at the UN and help more Chinese people understand, support and participate in the work. She also showed the students around the office building. There are two original copies of Nobel Peace Prizes, which symbolize the efforts and sacrifices of the agency.  

Through the discussions with UNHCR officials, the students were able to gain a deeper understanding of the refugee work at the UN as well as the challenges facing the agency.