Educational Seminar “European Asylum and Refugee Law: Recent Developments” 28/11/2019-15/1/2020

The Jean Monnet European Centre of Excellence of the University of Athens organised an educational seminar titled “European Asylum and Refugee Law: Recent Developments” and announced up to 30 scholarships.

The seminar took place within the framework of the European project “European Governance of Immigration: The External Dimensions” (2017-2020), co-funded by the European Commission and the University of Athens. The Scientific Coordinator of the project is Professor Yannis Valinakis, President of the Jean Monnet European Center of Excellence at the University of Athens.

The course consisted of five weekly afternoon sessions, along with two researchers’ workshops and was addressed to lawyers, public administration officers, staff of army forces, representatives of regional or local authorities, students of military, police and coast guard academies and graduates as well as researchers of humanities, as well as NGO executives and the civil society.

Overview

The seminar focused on modern developments in European asylum and refugee law, as well as on the comparative study of national asylum systems, between Member States and third countries. In particular, the theoretical framework for the development of the concept of “international protection” analysed, while emphasis was placed on the creation and development of the Common European Asylum System (CEAS). The implementation of the CEAS studied vis-a-vis Greece as well as in other EU member states. The seminar also presented to participants the asylum systems and policies of third countries. Furthermore, the role and recent jurisprudence of the ECHR and the EU Court of Justice in relation to asylum examined. Lastly, special reference made to modern developments and trends in view of the CEAS reform following the 2015 refugee & immigration crisis, with reference to specific issues such as the law of unaccompanied minors, marginal asylum issues, safe third country / country concept first reception, family reunification, etc.

Participants had the opportunity to be part of a research group and publish Policy papers or have an active role as rapporteurs. The programme also offered traineeship opportunities for university students, graduates, doctoral students or young professionals.

The lectures delivered in Greek and a distance learning option was also available.

Programme

 International Refugee Protection

In the framework of the training seminar ” European Asylum and Refugee Law: Recent Developments “, the 1st session entitled “International Refugee Protection “ was successfully held on 28 November 2019 at the European Public Law Organization

Chair: Ioannis Stribis, Assistant Professor, University of the Aegean; Scientific Director, Jean Monnet, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens

Welcome: Professor Yannis Valinakis, President, Jean Monnet European Centre of Excellence, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens

Speeches: Vasilis Christogiorgos, Special Partner in Protection Issues, UNHCR and Eleni Spathana, Lawer, Expert in Asylum and Migration

Common European Asylum System (CEAS): Creation – Evolution – Existing Law

In the framework of the training seminar ” European Asylum and Refugee Law: Recent Developments “, the 2nd session entitled ” Common European Asylum System (CEAS): Creation – Evolution – Existing Law “ was successfully held on 2 December 2019 at the European Public Law Organization

Chair: Ioannis Stribis, Assistant Professor, University of the Aegean; Scientific Director, Jean Monnet, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens

Speeches: Efstathios Poularakis, Lawyer specialized in Asylum and Migration, Emmanouela Papadopoulou, Assistant Professor, Law School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens and Efstathios Poularakis, Lawyer specialized in Asylum and Migration

Common European Asylum System Reform: Suggestions and Dynamics

In the framework of the training seminar ” European Asylum and Refugee Law: Recent Developments “, the 3rd session entitled ” Common European Asylum System Reform: Suggestions and Dynamics “ was successfully held on 5 December 2019 at the European Public Law Organization

Chair: Ioannis Stribis, Assistant Professor, University of the Aegean; Scientific Director, Jean Monnet, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens

Speeches: Metaxia Kouskouna, Associate Professor, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Markos Karavias, Dr., Asylum Service Director and Georgitsi Evangelia, Legal Advisor, Migration Management Support Team, European Commission Office in Greece

Common European Asylum System Reform: Application in Special Groups

In the framework of the training seminar ” European Asylum and Refugee Law: Recent Developments “, the 4th session entitled ” Common European Asylum System Reform: Application in Special Groups “ was successfully held on 9 December 2019 at the European Public Law Organization.

Chair: Ioannis Stribis, Assistant Professor, University of the Aegean; Scientific Director, Jean Monnet European Centre of Excellence, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens

Speeches: Chrysa Tsouka, Associate Professor, Law School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Sotiria Kasnakoudi, Head, Social Integration Division, Ministry of Migration Policy, Spyros Koulocheris, Lawer; Scientific Director, Legal Service, Greek Refugee Council and Eleni Micha, Dr., Teaching Fellow, Law School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens

“Common European Asylum System: Application Control”

In the framework of the training seminar ” European Asylum and Refugee Law: Recent Developments “, the 5th session entitled ” Common European Asylum System: Application Control “ was successfully held on 12 December 2019 at the European Public Law Organization.

Chair: Chrysa Tsouka, Associate Professor, Law School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens

Speeches: Katerina Koutsopoulou, Deputy Prosecutor, Court of Appeals, Maria Michelogiannaki, Legal Adviser, Department of EU Law, Hellenic Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Theodora Gazi, Lawyer; Data Protection Officer, Danish Refugee Council