Research Workshop on Critical Issues in International Refugee Law May 1 and 2, York University

Abstract

This paper provides a brief outline and summary of the key academic papers and review commentators’ remarks that were presented at the Research Workshop on Critical Issues in International Refugee Law that was held at York University, Toronto, Canada, May 1 and 2, 2008. One of the principal objectives of this Research Workshop was to bring together some of the world’s leading senior superior and high court judges and legal scholars to examine a limited number of key issues in international refugee law from a number of perspectives, including the jurist/practitioner and theorist/academic viewpoints, with the aim of trying to find the most promising ways forward and/or avenues for further research. Four substantive academic papers were presented by Professors Guy Goodwin-Gill, Oxford University; Jane McAdam, University of New South Wales; Geoff Gilbert, University of Essex; and Kate Jastram, University of California at Berkeley. The Research Workshop keynote address was delivered by the Honourable Justice Albie Sachs, Constitutional Court of South Africa. The Research Workshop also launched a number of wider international collaborative research projects in international refugee law that will be pursued over the next few years.