Skip to content

Past Event

Legislative Exchange: Refugee Resettlement 101

According to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, there are 65.3 million forcibly displaced people around the world. The current refugee population is the highest it has been since World War II. Violence, poverty, and climate change are some of the driving forces behind why refugees leave their home country. Since 2001, June 20 marks World Refugee Day- the day that the United Nations and more than 100 countries commemorate the obstacles this population face while also celebrating their courage and strength.

This session was the first in a summer series of Legislative Exchanges hosted in coordination with the International Rescue Committee (IRC). IRC responds to the world’s worst humanitarian crises and helps people whose lives and livelihoods are shattered by conflict and disease to survive, recover, and gain control of their future. The IRC has locations in 15 U.S. states and over 20 U.S. cities providing direct resettlement services to newly arrived refugees.

During the session, the IRC provided a presentation on the nuts and bolts of the refugee resettlement program- how one qualifies for refugee status; the process of resettlement abroad and, as a special feature, the IRC Boise Executive Director provided a unique view into the work of a local resettlement office.

Facilitator: Idaho Representative Clark Kauffman, CSG West Chair

Speakers:

Genevieve Kessler – Director of State Advocacy, IRC

Lindsey Sharp – Processing Director, IRC

Sandra Vines – Resettlement Director, IRC

Julianne Donnelly Tzul – Executive Director, IRC Boise

Session PowerPoint Slides
IRC Summit program materials: 

Please note: Viewing of recorded sessions below will require registration to access.