On November 26-28, seventy undergraduate students in uOttawa’s Conflict Studies and Human Rights program (ECH) participated in the Canadian Council for Refugees (CCR) annual consultation as rapporteurs. The final exam in the ECH 2320 Qualitative Methods course, this experiential education opportunity was the culmination of the research skills they had learned throughout the term. After having conducted research on topics as diverse as trauma-informed care, displacement from extractive industries and asylum with dignity, students participated in related workshops, working group meetings and plenaries with over 400 CCR members from across Canada and Immigration Minister Marc Miller.
Sarah Levitt, a second-year ECH student said, "Attending the CCR conference as a note taker and learning from experts in the field of refugee and immigration rights was an incredible opportunity. Everyone was welcoming, inclusive, and inspiring. It was reaffirming to know that this kind of advocacy is something I can be a part of, even as a student."
Created in 1978, the Canadian Council for Refugees is a leading voice for the rights, protection, sponsorship, settlement, and well-being of refugees and migrants, in Canada and globally. CCR member services manager, Alice Alvarez-Pereyre highlighted the benefits of university-NGO collaboration through this partnership: “CCR was delighted to leverage the talents of bilingual, uOttawa students who were trained in methods and mentored throughout by an experienced professor.”
Professor Christina Clark-Kazak, who taught the course and spearheaded the collaboration with CCR commented on how impressed she was with the quality of the students’ work. “Having a real-life assignment provided additional motivation for students to showcase their learnings and expertise,” said Clark-Kazak. “I am grateful to CCR for this opportunity, which demonstrates how experiential learning can be a triple win: for our students, for our community partners, and for the instructor.”