Consultations Between UNHCR and Humanitarian and Human Rights NGOs in Africa on Strengthening Collaboration in Support of the International Refugee Protection System

10-11 April 2000, Nairobi, Kenya

Provisional Agenda

Moderator: Professor John Okumu, Coordinator, Refugee Studies Programme, Moi University
Rapporteurs: Ms Margaret Green, International Rescue Committee and Ms Mariam Diallo,UNHCR

Monday, 10 April

9:00 - 9:10: Welcoming remarks by (to follow)
9:10 - 9:30: Introductory comments by the Moderator, Professor John Okumu

* * * I * * *

9:30 - 10:30: The Current State of UNHCR-NGO Collaboration on Protection

How do national NGOs and UNHCR, from their distinctive perspectives, view the current state of their collaboration on protection issues? Where do the principal problems lie? Do national NGOs engage in positive collaboration with international NGOs?

Opening statement by Ms Erika Feller, Director, Department of International Protection, UNHCR, followed by discussion.

10:30 - 11:00: Coffee Break

* * * II * * *

11:00 - 13:00: Advocacy and Promotion of Protection Principles

How should NGOs and UNHCR improve collaboration on advocacy and promotion of protection principles in general, including for enhanced state compliance with the basic precepts and standards of refugee law?

• Would NGOs be prepared to join UNHCR in a worldwide campaign on accessions to the Conventions on Stateless Persons and on the Reduction of Statelessness, as well as join efforts to persuade states to enact enabling legislation and put in place necessary implementing arrangements? How should we proceed

• How might we pursue these objectives? Advocacy with governments and legislatures; education programmes in schools; building relationships with the media and national law groups?

• Are other kinds of joint monitoring or promotional activities needed at a regional or global level? If so, what are the priorities and how should such activities be undertaken?

• What do national NGOs need in order to strengthen their capacity? How can UNHCR and international NGOs best support national NGOs?

Prepared statements by 2-3 participants, followed by discussion.

13:00 - 14:00: Lunch . Keynote Speaker: (to follow)

* * * III * * *

14:00 - 16:00: Dealing with Specific Protection Situations

When asylum-seekers or refugees are at risk, whether from state or non-state actors, how can humanitarian and human rights NGOs, in their different ways, more effectively complement UNHCR’s role and responsibility?

• Would it be useful to establish new information-sharing arrangements —for example, an internet-based protection network to circulate briefings and action alerts? Are there other information-sharing networks to which these arrangements should be linked? Would NGOs be prepared to participate in and support such arrangements jointly with UNHCR?

• How should we treat sensitive information relating to specific individuals or incidents? What are the respective roles and responsibilities of UNHCR and NGOs (both national and international) in sharing and using such information for protection purposes? What types of arrangements are needed to ensure confidentiality and the appropriate use of such information?

• Would it be feasible to establish more structured arrangements for ensuring adequate and timely response to protection emergencies? Would it be useful to convene periodic, protection-specific meetings? Do NGOs have any proposals in this regard?

Prepared statements by 2-3 participants, followed by discussion.

16:00 - 16:30: Coffee Break
16:30 - 17:30: Dealing with Specific Refugee Situations (continued)

Tuesday, 11 April

* * * IV * * *

9:00 - 10:30: Building Protection Capacity in Field Operations

What measures should be undertaken to ensure that NGO field operations are more fully informed by protection concerns?

• Would joint protection training and/or staff exchange programmes between the humanitarian and human rights sectors be useful?

• How should the recently issued protection field guide for NGOs be used to maximum effect? What further steps can UNHCR take to enhance awareness of protection concerns among NGO field workers?

• Would NGOs be prepared to consider using UNHCR protection guidelines and protection indicators in planning, implementing and evaluating their assistance programmes?

• Is there a need for other types of mechanisms for consultation and collaboration on protection issues at the field level?

• The implementation of agreed measures in this area will likely require substantial new resources. What steps should be taken to address resource constraints? Would it be useful to appoint a regional coordinator for a short period to help establish an NGO network and seek funding sources? If so, how should we proceed? What would be the Terms of Reference?

Prepared statements by 2-3 participants, followed by discussion.

10:30 - 11:00: Coffee break
11:00 - 12:00: Protection in Field Operations (continued)

* * * V * * *

12:00 - 13:00: Next Steps in Developing a Protection Partnership

How should this dialogue be taken forward? What specific steps are needed to initiate action on points agreed to in this meeting? To facilitate further discussion on other points and issues of interest to the group?

Discussion followed by Moderator’s summary and concluding remarks.

(Following the conclusion of the Reach Out Meeting, a seminar on internally displaced persons will be hosted by the Norwegian Refugee Council in the same meeting room from 14:00 – 18:30)