On Thursday, 01 October, the Local Engagement Refugee Research Network (LERRN) and the International Development Research Centre (IDRC) hosted a webinar discussing the recommendations brought forth by the Honourable Bob Rae’s report on Canada’s role in mobilizing a global response to the enormous global challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic and the specific challenges faced by the international refugee system.
The distinguished panellists Ambassador Bob Rae, Mustafa Alio, Dr. Maha Shuayb, Linda Oucho and Gregory Maniatis affirmed the value of Canadian leadership in the refugee context, which can take many forms including funding, greater leadership on issues of forced displacement including in Central America, resettlement, complementary pathways, multilateral engagement in peacebuilding, and the promotion of refugee participation.