MOI UNIVERSITY C. R. S CENTRE FOR REFUGEE STUDIES MOI UNVERSITY KENYA P

Transcription

1 MOI UNIVERSITY C. R. S CENTRE FOR REFUGEE STUDIES MOI UNVERSITY KENYA P

2 1. OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES The Centre for Refugee Studies at, Kenya, is a Community of scholars from a variety of disciplines who share a deep concern about the refugee phenomenon, especially in Africa, Estab lished at 's School of Social,Cultural and Development Studies in 1991, C R S seeks to enhance general understanding of the causes, consequences and experiencies of forced human migration, as well as to contribute to the general improvement of the administration and management of refugee affairs in host countries. To promote these goals, CRS conducts the following activities :' Centre-based research on diverse aspects of the refugee phenomenon, such as host state refugee policies and law,management of assistance to refugees, livelihood and economy of refugees, and psycho -social problems associated with forced migration. In addition, local and foreign researchers dealing with various aspects of the African refugee phenomenon are accredited to the Centre. Training of governant officials and NGOs managing refugee affairs with a view to improving their understanding of forced migration issues. Support for Innovative Courses on refugee issues offered by Moi University 's Department of Government and Public Administration as a part of undergraduate students degree curriculum. Sponsorship of Public Lectures, Seminars, Workshops, and International Conference s, including weekly speakers on various aspects of forced migration organized in conjuntion with Students Refugee Welfare Club. Maintenance of a Documentation Centre of selected primary and secondary materials on the affairs of refugees and other victims of forced migration. Publication of occassional papers, commentaries, working papers, newsletter and seminar proceedings. Coordination of Public awarenes s campaigns to promote understanding of the plight of refugees through activities such as public lectures and direct assistance to refugees and other victims of forced migration.

3 - 2 - RESEARCH AND OUTREACH CRS conducts, coordinates, and supports original research and outreach projects in forced migration. These involve the broad participation of Moi University faculties, undergraduate and graduate students, visiting scholars and staff. At the same time, they reach beyond the University to the national, regional, and the international community in general, in a commitment to widen perspectives and expand scholarly dialogue and improvement in policies pursued towards refugees. Current multi-years research and outreach activities include : Baseline Information Project, a four-nation collection of material to strengthen CRS teaching, training and research capacity. Funded by the Ford Foundation and the, the project covers Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania and Ethiopia. The objective is to acquire a substantial body of relevant literature and to compile an annotated bibliography for the existing literature on refugees and other forced migrants in Eastern Africa. Refugee Policy Research Project, which is in its first face (covering Kenya), is supported by Ford Foundation, Moi University arid the Refugee'Studies Programme (University of Oxford ). The aim is to come up with empirical data on the policies countries in Eastern -Africa pursue towards refugees as the basis for engaging the policy makers in the region in a debate on the modalities of integrating refugees in their development endevours. This project is also being used as a part of the Centre 's staff development programme by way of indentifying candidates who have an interest in refugee studies to carry out the research. Other programmes under development include :- Refugee children programme Internal forced migration Refugee communitieb and the host population Language and vocational training for refugees Education for refugee children

4 - 3 - CURRICULUM To promote a multi-disciplinary approach to forced migration studies, CRS offers university courses at 's School of Social, Cultural and Development Studies. Being offered at the moment is a course 'Human Rights and Refugee Problems '. This course is offered by the Centre in conjuction with ' s Department of Government and Public Administration for undergraduate students. sampling of other courses developed by the CRS includes:- Refugees in Migration Theory Refugees and Humanitarian Law Forced Migration in Global Perspectives Refugee Livelihood and Economy Politics of Humanitarian Intervention and Refugee Assistance. In addition, CRS provides supervision and support for research by graduate students and other researchers, both Kenyan and from other countries.

5 - 4 - R S ADMINISTRATION DIRECTOR : Prof. John J. Okumu Dean, Schoool of Social Cultural Cultural & Development Studies,, Professor of Government and Public Administration. COORDINATOR OF PROGRAMMES Dr. All Sendaro Senior Lecturer, Dept., of Government & Public Administration. FACULTY COORDINATOR : Dr. Harry Ododa Head, Department of Government of Government & Public Administration, ASSISTANT DIRECTOR : Mr.Enoch Opondo, Lecturer, Department of Government & Public Adminisration, R S FUNDING CRS operations, training, research and staff development programmes have been supported by funds from:- Refugee Studies Programme, Oxford British Council, U.S.A.I.D, Ford Foundation, Pew Charitable Trust, GTZ.

6 C R S School of Social, Cultural and Development Studies P. 0. Box 3900, Eldoret, Kenya Phone: (o) (o) (Director) Fax :+ 254-(o)