Providing protection in the 21st century - what role for the UK?

UEL Psychology Seminar Series
Date: 22nd October 2014
Time: 18:00-19:00
Venue: Arthur Edwards Building Room 2.06

 

Mr. Maurice Wren
Chief Executive
Refugee Council

Title:
Providing protection in the 21st century – what role for the UK?

Abstract:
The global refugee crisis that is presently unfolding requires a truly global political and humanitarian response. Yet the dominant political imperative in Europe is to constrain access to refugee protection for the purpose of retaining or achieving domestic political credibility. In the UK, this creates tensions: between the Government's celebration of the UK's proud history of proving protection to refugees, and it's resistance to any policies leading to a rise in the number given protection; between the Government's acknowledgement that spontaneous asylum applications will continue to increase, and its determination to limit the cost and visibility of the asylum process; and, within Government, between the Home Office's prioritisation of assertive border controls, and the FCO and DfID's appreciation of the UK's international obligations as a global player.

I will discuss the work of the Refugee Council in the context of these tensions, with particular reference to our recent, successful, campaign for the establishment of a Syrian refugee resettlement programme in the UK.

Biography:
Maurice Wren became Chief Executive of the British Refugee Council in March 2013, having previously been the Director of Asylum Aid, an NGO providing legal representation to people seeking refugee protection in the UK (2002 – 2013). Prior to joining Asylum Aid, Maurice held senior positions in the homelessness field at Shelter and the Housing Associations Charitable Trust (HACT).

Maurice was a co-founder of, and expert adviser to, the Independent Asylum Commission (2007-09); an expert adviser to the Centre for Social Justice enquiry into the UK asylum system ‘Asylum Matters’ (2007-08); a co-founder and member of the co-ordination group of Detention Forum (2009-present); and a member of the Home Office and Ministry of Justice’s Early Legal Advice Project Board (2010-2013). He is presently co-Chair of the National Asylum Stakeholder Forum at the Home Office, Chair of the Refugee Week Steering Group and a Trustee of Migrant Voice.

Session Chair:
Professor Rachel Tribe