Open Class on Forced Displacement & Public Advocacy
On December 5, the American University of Armenia (AUA) hosted an Open Class centered around the theme of “Forced Displacement and Public Advocacy.” The session unfolded as part of the MA Human Rights and Social Justice program’s Public Advocacy course, taught by adjunct lecturer Mr. Sergey Ghazinyan.
The class was open to everyone interested in the field and wanting to explore more about our program.
The initial discussions covered legal criteria surrounding refugee and migrant status, elaborating on the motivations behind people’s decisions to migrate. The discourse extended to cover the matter of asylum-seeking, shedding light on the various legal statuses available to forced displaced groups on both international and national scales.
The second portion of the session was dedicated to unraveling the legal standing of ethnic Armenians who have experienced forced displacement from Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh). Through engaging in collaborative group exercise, participants were encouraged to explore relevant questions, fostering an environment of collective learning. The findings were then presented to the entire class, sparking insightful discussions. The diverse groups, including current students and external participants, added depth to the experience, making the class more informative, particularly for those not officially part of AUA. Notably, a significant number of attendees were from Artsakh, bringing a direct and heightened interest to the topic, and making the class more relevant and engaging.
The class culminated in a Q&A session, allowing participants to delve further into the matters discussed.
Founded in 1991, the American University of Armenia (AUA) is a private, independent university located in Yerevan, Armenia, affiliated with the University of California, and accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission in the United States. AUA provides local and international students with Western-style education through top-quality undergraduate and graduate degree and certificate programs, promotes research and innovation, encourages civic engagement and community service, and fosters democratic values.
