Working bilaterally with civil society partners, we advance human rights by identifying and supporting local organizations and by creating opportunities for like-minded advocates to engage with one another through south-south and triangular cooperation. Differing in subject, scope, and scale–our projects are always co-designed with local partners, resulting in practical, context-specific engagements accounting for local legal and policy environments. Whether supporting legal service provision, providing legal training for lawyers on international and regional standards, or bringing together actors from the Global South for experience-sharing–we help equip front-line advocates and human rights defenders to more effectively secure legal protection for refugees and migrants.

Upon seeking safety in a new country, many refugees and asylum seekers face monumental hurdles in accessing reliable information on their legal rights and the obligations expected of them. Compiling and disseminating such information is a focal point of our work. With partners on the ground, we assess context-specific legal obligations, and create digital and print materials–in various languages–ensuring access to information for the most vulnerable migrant communities.

We carry out nuanced research in collaboration with partners, focusing on domestic, regional, and international law. We evaluate the direct impact that either depriving or securing refugee rights can have on the lives of those forcibly displaced and their host communities. By analyzing obligations, precedents, and direct impact, we build an evidence-base for why governments should take action and then offer concrete ways for them to do so. As we mold the nexus between scholarship and direct action on the ground, we produce relevant content suitable for practitioners, advocates, and policymakers.

Our team provides a unique perspective to key policymakers by drawing on our direct experience with capacity development, and by leveraging our own research and analysis, combined with that of our partners. Our focus remains on advancing refugee rights by promoting legal representation for asylum-seekers and ensuring fairer asylum systems, worldwide. We tailor our advocacy efforts to each context- adapting to particular considerations and unique histories. As we monitor the evolving situation facing countries of first asylum in the Global South–which are disproportionately becoming permanent places to settle–we advocate for more equitable responsibility-sharing among the global community.

We recognize the need to dismantle the negative portrayal of refugees and asylum seekers often presented in the media and in public dialogue. Focusing our efforts on depicting personal journeys–we translate rights from abstract legal concepts, to tangible stories that unpack refugee lives and place them at the center of our work. We strive to make international law accessible–informing the general public of the legal rights entitled to displaced individuals and migrants. As we contribute to discussions among academics, practitioners, and the public–we hope to counter rising xenophobia. Altering negative narratives remains a crucial aspect of our awareness-raising efforts.