The Americas’ Refugee Crisis: Responding to Forced Migration from Venezuela

Since 2015, almost two million Venezuelans have fled their country in response to a growing crisis characterized by political repression, economic collapse, acute food and medicine shortages, and little prospect for change. Although the current regional response has reflected a laudable solidarity among Venezuela’s neighbors, it is straining under both the wave of migrants and emerging backlash from domestic populations. With no end in sight to the crisis in Venezuela and the forced exodus of its citizens, the situation demands a bold and coordinated response from the international community.

To discuss the Venezuelan forced migration crisis and potential solutions, the Inter-American Dialogue and the Center for International Governance Innovation (CIGI) are pleased to host, “The Americas’ Refugee Crisis: Responding to Forced Migration from Venezuela.” The event will feature the presentation of a new report by CIGI and the Dialogue’s Venezuela Working Group, as well as a panel of experts for a discussion.  

Follow this event on Twitter at #ForcedMigrationVZ and @The_Dialogue.

OPENING REMARKS

Michael Shifter

President, Inter-American Dialogue (@MichaelShifter)

INTRODUCTION

Fen Osler Hampson

Director, Global Security and Politics Program, Centre for International Governance Innovation (@FenHampson)

SPEAKERS

Lloyd Axworthy

Chair, World Refugee Council (@LloydAxworthy)

Betilde Muñoz

Co-coordinator of the Working Group to Address the Regional Crisis of Venezuelan Migrants and Refugees, Organization of American States (OAS) (@BeticaMunozPogo)

Eduardo Stein 

Joint Special Representative for Venezuelan refugees and migrants in the region, UNHCR and IOM; Councillor, World Refugee Council 

Andrew Selee

President, Migration Policy Institute (@SeleeAndrew)

 

MODERATOR

Michael Camilleri

Director, Peter D. Bell Rule of Law Program, Inter-American Dialogue (@camillerimj)

 

 

Event partners: