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European Asylum Curriculum – Researching Country of Origin Information
By Elisabeth Ahmed, Refugee Documentation Centre
The European Asylum Curriculum - Country of Origin Information Module is available through the Refugee Documentation Centre, and is facilitated by EAC Authorised Trainers. The RDC offers the course both on a national and international level to employees of the Immigration and Asylum Services and also to NGOs. Two of the Authorised EAC trainers are members of the COI Network. The COI Training Network is a group of COI trainers from governmental and non-governmental organisations in different European countries.
The Module, Researching Country of Origin Information is based on the Common EU Guidelines for processing Country of Origin Information (COI) and is a blended learning course consisting of 4 weeks online-learning and one day face-to-face training. Taking into account the obligation to use COI in RSD cases the module aims to impart knowledge and skills about the role of COI, standards of COI, scope of COI and limits of COI research. Areas such as COI sources, research skills and presentation of research results are also covered.
The training is designed to provide flexibility for the trainee and allows participants work according to their own timetable. E-learning can be done anywhere, at work, at home (wherever you have access to the internet). The E-learning phase allows the participant to be available at their workplace while on the course. The only set time is the one day face-to-face training which requires participants to be on site. During the face-to-face training participants come together and have the opportunity to review the module and work together on a case study. Face-to-face training takes place in week 5 after completion of the online phase.
A number of national authorities including Ireland have invested resources in the development of the European Asylum Curriculum which is co-funded by the European Commission. The idea of the European Asylum Curriculum provides a common European vocational training for officials working within the area of asylum, leading to a more harmonized approach in working with asylum cases. This should guarantee a fairer and more uniform procedure throughout Europe. It is envisaged that this training can be offered to all those throughout Europe working in the field of asylum with the RDC fulfilling this role in Ireland.
During July 2010 the EU Commissioner for Home Affairs Cecilia Malmström attended one of the EAC’s training sessions in Brussels and stated:
“It was very interesting and useful to attend one of EAC’s training sessions. Today, discrepancies between Member States are too big; it is not acceptable that asylum seekers get different decisions depending on in which EU country they submit their asylum application. One of my main priorities during the years to come is to work towards getting a common European asylum and migration policy in place, and in that I think this initiative is a very useful tool in order to harmonise the national asylum systems within the EU.”[1]
Training in the European Asylum Curriculum - Researching Country of Origin Information Module has been delivered by the RDC to a number of staff of asylum agencies and non governmental agencies. The most recent training delivered in March and April of this year proved very successful. On this occasion the training was open to international participants and included staff from asylum agencies in Ireland, non governmental agency staff and a participant working in the EU Commission. All the participants were very engaged and committed during the online phase and there was full attendance at the face-to-face day providing the opportunity for lively discussions. The view of one participant is outlined below.
“I found the European Asylum Curriculum COI Module to be an essential training tool for me as a Legal Officer in my organisation. Very often I would consider complex legal and COI issues in my role and to learn a rigorous standard of practice in respect of research production is essential for me.
The interactive course continually focuses one’s attention on the various subjects of the course through illustrations, practical online guidance and exercises. The subjects within the course ranged from quality analysis of research sources, to guidance on how to present one’s research. The month long training course culminates in a face-to- face training session which was facilitated by the Refugee Documentation Centre. Together with other students we revised the course content, engaged in group exercises and carried out practical COI research exercises all the while benefiting from the enthusiasm and interests of the facilitators.” Ronan O’Brien, Legal Support Officer.
The Refugee Documentation Centre remain committed to play their role in ensuring training is available to those who need it and to date we have provided a number of EAC trainings, with a further training planned for September of this year. It is our intention that all those requiring training have the opportunity to avail of participating in the EAC COI Module, taking advantage of this excellent training which has been specifically developed to enhance the capacity and quality of the European asylum process and to strengthen practical cooperation among European asylum/immigration systems.
If you are interested in registering for the September Training please contact the Refugee Documentation Centre at eactraining@legalaidboard.ie or telephone +353-1-4776250.
September 2011 Course Details:
E-learning phase: 26 September 2011 – 21 October 2011.
Face-to-face training: 25 October 2011.
Closing date for application: 16 September 2011
PLACES ARE LIMITED
[1] EU Commissioner for Home Affairs Cecilia Malmström
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