Students will report on Private Sector Forum on Migration and Refugees tomorrow COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY - SIPA Admissions Blog

Students will report on Private Sector Forum on Migration and Refugees tomorrow COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY - SIPA Admissions Blog More than 200 UN leaders, government officials, and business and philanthropic executives will gather on September 20 Student rapporteurs including seven current SIPA enrollees will take part in this  week’s Private Sector Forum on Migration and Refugees, a gathering of more than 200 UN leaders, government officials, and business and philanthropic executives who will discuss the private sector’s role and responsibility in helping to address global migration and refugee challenges. Participating students will use SIPA’s Twitter and Facebook pages to extend the conversation to the larger SIPA community and beyond. The September 20 program is a project of the Columbia Global Policy Initiative (CGPI) in partnership with the nonprofit organization Concordia, the International Organization for Migration, and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, among others. It’s part of the 2016 Concordia Summit, an annual gathering of public, private, and nonprofit leaders in New York City. It also complements the landmark UN Summit for Refugees and Migrants, which will have convened more than 150 world leaders the previous day for consideration of related issues. Participants in the private sector forum will discuss new approaches to private investment in refugee hosting areas as well as education initiatives, connectivity for refugees, the role of local governments in addressing migration, and other areas for fertile public-private partnerships that can make a difference in the lives of millions of forced migrants around the world. The discussions will culminate in new initiatives and commitments and will create a call to action for leadership across sectors. Later this fall, CGPI will publish a report on the forum that draws on the student-authored reports. Members of the student-run SIPA Migration Working Group are also planning a follow-up symposium to discuss the forum as well as the importance of engaging multiple stakeholders to address ongoing challenges. To be held on October 5, that symposium will also receive support from the CGPI. Follow the student rapporteurs on Twitter at @ColumbiaSIPA