University Refugee Forum 2021

10 Dec 2021 | Virtual Event

Due to the Covid-19 crisis, the University Refugee Forum 2021 was reorganized as a virtual event with the title «Afghanistan’s crisis and Higher Education. How to stay connected?». Moderated by Karl Blanchet, the Director of the Geneva Center for Humanitarian studies and with contributions from Anja Klug, Head of the UNHCR Office for Switzerland and Liechtenstein and Heela Najibullah, author, humanitarian worker and PhD candidate in Religious Studies at UZH, the perils of interception education in Afghanistan and the impact of the Global Compact on Refugees were discussed. 

Program

 

14:00

Welcome

  • Mathieu Crettenand, Integration Delegate and Head of the program Horizon académique, University of Geneva
  • Sara Elmer, Head of Start! Study - University Integration Program, University of Zürich
14:10

Introduction of the session: Afghanistan's crisis and Higher education: How to stay connected?

  • Karl Blanchet, Director of the Geneva Center for Humanitarian studies
14:20

Building solidarity around the world's refugees with the Global Compact on Refugees

  • Anja Klug, Head of Office at UNHCR Office for Switzerland and Liechtenstein
14:30

The Perils of Intercepting Education in Afghanistan

  • Heela Najibullah, Author, Humanitarian Worker & PhD Candidate at the Religious Studies Department of University of Zurich
14:40

Q&A with Karl Blanchet
15:00

Q&A with the public
15:25

Conclusion in plenary

  • Sara Elmer, Head of Start! Study - University Integration Program, University of Zürich
15:30

End of meeting

 

Speakers

 

Heela Najibullah is a PhD Candidate at the Religious Studies Department of UZH and has done her MA in Peace, Conflict Transformation and Security Studies. She is also has the author of a book on Reconciliation and Social Healing in Afghanistan and has a decade of work experience on migration issues with the International Federation of Red Cross.

After more than 18 years with UNHCR, Anja Klug is now the Head of the UNHCR Office for Switzerland and Liechtenstein. She is also the author of various publications relating to international refugee law.

Director of the Geneva Center for Humanitarian Studies, Karl Blanchet is also Professor of Humanitarian Public Health in the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Geneva. He is currently working on the development of Integrated Package of Essential Health services in Afghanistan.