UNHCR is inviting you to join the conversation on how digital identity can facilitate greater empowerment, protection and solutions for refugees and asylum-seekers.
© UNHCR/Antoine Tardy
Today, over 20 million people have been forced to cross borders to escape war, persecution or violence. The number of refugees is still increasing rapidly and so is the number of people who are living in protracted displacement. Many refugees arrive in host countries without identity documents to prove who they are. Refugee registration and the provision of identity documentation have long been recognised as key protection measures, which can also facilitate social and economic inclusion.
At UNHCR, we believe digital identity can be one of the new pathways by which refugees and asylum-seekers can access greater opportunities and contribute more to their host communities, supporting the objectives of the Global Compact on Refugees.
In partnership with Immigration, Refugees, Citizenship Canada, UNHCR has launched the first Global Virtual Summit on Digital Identity for Refugees. The goal of this innovative event isto harness the experiences, perspectives and expertise of a diverse and inclusive group of stakeholders in considering how digital identity can facilitate greater empowerment, protection and solutions for asylum seekers and refugees. Together we aim to encourage a wider conversation in this area among forcibly displaced persons, host communities, the private sector, academia, humanitarian and development actors.
We’re opening the summit by inviting you to submit a short paper of a maximum of 1500 words. Papers are welcome on a number of different topics that can help define ‘good’ digital identity for refugees including: the current refugee identity management ecosystem, data protection and security, emerging technologies and new developments, etc.
The deadline for submissions is 22 April 2019.
You can find out more on the event’s website, including specific areas of interest, timeline and how to participate.