IDC Director, Mr Grant Mitchell, presents at the UNHCR Global Roundtable on Alternatives to Detention

TORONTO (20 – 22 April 2015) – The Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) held their 2nd Global Roundtable on Alternatives to Detention (ATD).

The IDC Director, Mr. Grant Mitchell, and Advocacy Officer, Mr. Ben Lewis were present with over 25 governments who attended the roundtable, which is an opportunity to dialogue with each other on the practical side of developing and implementing alternatives to detention. The roundtable had a focus on countries in which UNHCR’s Global Strategy – Beyond Detention 2014-2019 is being rolled-out, but it will also be supported by the participation of non-governmental and international organisations and others.

This roundtable built upon the first Global Roundtable on Alternatives to Detention (ATD) of Asylum-Seekers, Refugees, Migrants and Stateless Persons,which was held from 11-12 May 2011 in Geneva, Switzerland and co-organised by UNHCR and the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR).

An on-site visit to ATD programs in Toronto was held on Day 1, while Days 2 and 3 involved plenary roundtable discussions, with breakout sessions on selected practical themes including children, and protection at sea.