Justice for Refugees and Migrants: Jindal Global University Voices at UN Symposium
SONIPAT, India and VIENNA, May 18, 2018 /PRNewswire/ --
"Social Acceptance: Stepping Stone to Integration of Refugees and Migrants." - Dr. S.P. Sahni
O.P. Jindal Global University (JGU) received the unique honour to present an invited talk on 'Perspectives on Refugees and Migrants in the Age of Migration and Global Crime' held in Vienna from 14th-18th May, 2018.
It is noteworthy to mention that JGU was the only Indian University to get this invite to present at this global platform. The event was held under the aegis of United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).
Prof. (Dr.) Sanjeev P. Sahni, Principal Director, Jindal Institute of Behavioural Sciences (JIBS) of JGU presented his talk on 'Educating for Justice for Refugees and Migrants: A Global South Perspective' in this forum.
In his presentation, Prof. (Dr.) Sahni stressed on the 'social acceptance' being a key stepping stone to integration of refugees and migrants, "The integration is a multi-group responsibility involving the host government, non-governmental organizations, communities and local residents." He also spoke about building a conscious narrative where there is a cohesive social acceptability for immigrants that needs to be instilled among host citizens.
He mooted, "At the governmental level, a robust policy is required to be drafted that could take into account the immigration policies, promote integration policies that acknowledge diversity, provide national realities, recognize local context, providing healthy physical conditions to reside, involve non-governmental organizations and delegation of authority aptly; at community level the non-governmental organizations need to promote social acceptance, mobilize the immigrants to search jobs, educate the immigrants regarding the countries cultural context and language, ensuring that children of immigrants are enrolled in school and at individual level, each citizen of the host country needs to be sensitized of the immigrants."
Immigration is not country specific, it has become a global phenomenon, where human exodus is constantly happening; it is the reality of the times we live in. This takes a load on livelihood, demographic and infrastructure of a nation.
There are about 65.6 million people forcibly displaced worldwide out of which 16.1 million refugees are registered with UNHRC and 5.2 million with UNRWA and many of them are under the age of 18 years. There are about 10 million stateless people who are denied nationality and access to basic rights such as education, healthcare, employment and freedom of movement (UNHRC, 19th June 2017).
The world is witnessing a huge humanitarian crisis. Every minute, 24 people around the world are forced to flee their homes. That's 34,000 people a day who leave everything behind in the hope of finding safety and a better tomorrow (http://www.care.org).
Stressing on the role of mental health which plays a crucial role in rehabilitation of displaced people, Dr. Sahni was of the opinion that, "We need an integrative and holistic approach towards it. Mental health of refugees is dependent on a complex web that is governed by bio-psycho-social factors being mediated by government and other agencies at large."
Migration is reported to affect mental health of refugees that is dependent on the biological factors (physical health), psychological health and social acceptance by people of the host country.
Asylum is a human right and no human being is illegal; these are the pertinent narratives that are needed to combat all kinds of xenophobia and racial discrimination in this unfolding humanitarian crisis.
The 5-day event saw participation of leading global experts on refugee crisis, human right crusaders, health care professionals and legal luminaries.
About JIBS
Jindal Institute of Behavioural Sciences (JIBS) is a value-based research institute of O.P. Jindal Global University which is dedicated to understanding, developing and applying human process competencies through continuous experimentation, research and learning related to applied and experimental behavioural science focusing on broad areas like social sciences, mental health, competency mapping, neurosciences, neural decision sciences, cognitive sciences, psychobiology management sciences, forensic sciences, social psychology, criminal behaviours, etc.
With the aim of establishing an institute in Asia that conducts and applies best behavioural and social science practices in innovation, education, research, scholarship and clinical care, JIBS pursues to promote research that is multidisciplinary, quantitative and scientific in nature.
About O.P. Jindal Global University
A non-profit global university established by the Government of Haryana, O.P. Jindal Global University (JGU) is recognised by the University Grants Commission (UGC). JGU was established as a philanthropic initiative of its Founding Chancellor, Mr. Naveen Jindal, in memory of his father, Mr O.P. Jindal. JGU has been awarded the highest grade 'A' by the National Accreditation & Assessment Council (NAAC).
JGU is one of the few universities in Asia maintaining a 1:13 faculty-student ratio and appointing faculty members from India and different parts of the world with outstanding academic qualifications and experience. A research-intensive university, JGU is deeply committed to its core institutional values of inter-disciplinary and innovative pedagogy; pluralism and rigorous scholarship; as well as globalism and international engagement.
JGU has established eight schools: Jindal Global Law School (JGLS), Jindal Global Business School (JGBS), Jindal School of International Affairs (JSIA), Jindal School of Government and Public Policy (JSGP), Jindal School of Liberal Arts & Humanities (JSLH), Jindal School of Journalism & Communication (JSJC), Jindal School of Art & Architecture (JSAA) and Jindal School of Banking & Finance (JSBF).
For more information please refer to - http://www.jgu.edu.in/.
Media Contact:
Devadeep Konwar
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O.P. Jindal Global University
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