Introduction to International Recommendations on Refugee and IDPStatistics(e-Learning course)
13 March-21 April 2023
GuidelineI.

OVERVIEW OF THE COURSE

The numbers of refugees and internally displaced persons (IDPs) have increased rapidly inrecent years, with UNHCR estimating over 100 million forcibly displaced persons in 2022.
With displacement’s growing prominence, there is increasing interest at national, regional
and international levels in statistics on refugees and IDPs including complete, accurate,
timely and internationally comparable estimates of the numbers of people displaced, theirwell-being and vulnerabilities. Good-quality statistics are a requirement for developing,
implementing and monitoring national, regional and international policies and agreements
concerning refugees and IDPs.
This course introduces the “International Recommendations on Refugee Statistics” (IRRS)
and the “International Recommendations on IDP Statistics” (IRIS). These sets ofrecommendations were endorsed by the United Nations Statistical Commission in 2018
(IRRS) and 2020 (IRIS). The course is spread over five substantive modules and provides
details on the statistical framework for compiling refugee and IDP statistics. In particular, itintroduces concepts, definitions, classifications and methodologies relevant to collecting,compiling, analyzing and disseminating data and indicators on refugees and IDPs, including
SDG indicators. The course also includes information on data sources, institutional
mechanisms and coordination.
II.

TARGET PARTICIPANTS

Target participants for the course are staff of national statistical offices, relevant line
ministries and other institutions working on issues related to refugees and IDPs (include forexample Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Justice, Immigration Agencies, etc.). Others whowould benefit from the course include those working on refugee and IDP issues ininternational organizations, regional organizations and NGOs.
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LEARNING OUTCOMES

By the end of the course, participants will be expected to:
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Describe the importance of refugee and internally displaced persons (IDPs)
statistics, relevant international legal frameworks and their relevance for operationaland national policy applications.
Discuss the role of Expert Group on Refugee, IDP and Statelessness Statistics(EGRISS) and its outputs in providing the statistical framework for the compilationof official statistics in response to the various data needs.
Apply concepts and definitions and make use of main data sources for refugee andIDP statistics according to internationally endorsed recommendations.
Outline the challenges associated with the collection, compilation and disseminationof statistics on refugee and IDPs.
Appraise the importance of coordination of data on refugees and IDPs to facilitate
policy development and apply the recommendations in practice.
COURSE DESIGN AND CONTENT

The e-learning course is comprised of 5 interactive modules that are hosted on the SIAP
Learning Management System (LMS). Each of the 5 interactive modules consist of slides
with explanations. Avatars and interactive elements are used throughout the course toenhance participant engagement and additional resources are provided at the end of eachmodule. After all modules have been completed, participants who would like to receive acertificate, will be required to complete a final assessment that will cover all modules. The
online modules are expected to take about of 6 hours to complete. Participants are also
expected to attend weekly webinars that will provide an overview of the course topics andallow for participants to ask questions. More details will be provided at the beginning of thecourse. Furthermore, participants are encouraged to actively participate in the online forumof the course. Topics for discussion will be posted on a regular basis and participants areinvited to share their views/comments/questions. In total, it is estimated that the course willtake about 20 hours (online modules, webinars, contributions to online discussions andreview of course reference materials).
OutlineModule1. Introduction toInternational
Recommendations onRefugee and IDP
Statistics

Coverage•••••

Why we need statistics on refugees and IDPs
Applications and challenges
Official statistics and operational data
EGRISS and its key achievements
Defining refugee and IDP's in statistics
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Data sources for refugees and IDP statistics
Coordination of refugee and IDP statistics

2. Refugee statistics:
measuring stocks, flowsand characteristics••••

Legal framework
Statistical framework
Stocks and flows
Measuring integration and satisfaction of ongoingneeds

3. IDP statistics: measuring
stocks, flows andcharacteristics••••

Legal and policy framework
Statistical framework
Stocks and flows
Durable solutions and key displacement-related
vulnerabilities
Variables and tabulations for IDP statistics•
4. Data sources, analysis and •dissemination
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5. National, regional andinternational statisticalcoordination

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Population and housing censuses
Sample surveys
Administrative data
Alternative data sources
Operational data
Confidentiality and data sharing
Evaluation and quality assessment
Analysis and dissemination
Principles of statistical coordination
Statistical coordination at the national level
Coordination amongst regional and internationalpartners
Recommendations to improve the coordination ofrefugee and IDP statistics

EVALUATION

Participants’ understanding of the material will be reinforced through integrated miniassessments in each interactive module as well as a final assessment upon completion of allmodules. Participants must receive a score of 80% or higher at the end of this course in orderto receive a certificate.
Participants will be given 90 minutes to complete the final assessment. They may take theexam up to three times and retain their best score. Participants may not work together on the3assessment. The course facilitator reserves the right to deny course certificates to participantssuspected of cheating.
Participants will be eligible to receive certificates of completion upon (i) attaining a minimum
grade of 80% in the final assessment; and (ii) completing the course evaluation questionnaire.

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