XCPD-714 - Refugees and Economic Opportunity

Course Description

Refugees and Economic Opportunity focuses on obstacles and enablers for refugee
economic integration. It uses recent evidence and field case studies to explore the
programs and policies that enable refugees and displaced populations to chart a
trajectory to self-reliance. The course offers a critical examination of the actions of
the international community, private sector and government in creating or limiting
economic opportunity for refugees through relief to development.

Course Objectives

At the completion of the course, students will be able to:

interrelate common challenges to economic opportunity at various stages of displacement;
identify legal and policy frameworks that shape opportunities for economic integration of refugees;
describe the differences in challenges for refugees between urban, camp and newly arrived refugees;
explain the various uses for cash assistance in supporting refugees and the evidence base behind them;
discuss the tradeoffs between cash and longer term livelihoods interventions as refugees transition from emergencies into protracted crises;
summarize the interaction of refugees and informal markets;
describe the processes for analyzing market opportunities for refugees;
identify the protection risks associated with economic engagement of refugees in different contexts and along a timeline of displacement;
state the role and constraints of the private sector in supporting refugee employment;
express cutting edge innovations and technologies being used to support refugee populations;
describe the role of diaspora networks in supporting refugee entrepreneurship;
differenciate programs and policies to achieve economic outcomes for refugee women and youth.

Applies Towards the Following Certificates

Certificate in International Migration Studies : Elective