On Feb. 23, 2012, the Course on Fundamental Elements for Identification and Protection of Stateless Persons and Prevention and Reduction of Statelessness in the Americas took place at the OAS headquarters. The activity was carried out within the framework of the Committee on Juridical and Political Affairs (CAJP) of the Permanent Council, in compliance with the mandate established in General Assembly resolution AG/RES. 2665 (XLI-O/11) “Prevention and Reduction of Statelessness and Protection of Stateless Persons in the Americas.”

The event was organized with the support of the Department of International Law of the General Secretariat and the technical and financial collaboration of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).

More than 45 persons, including representatives of Permanent Missions to the OAS, staff from different areas of the General Secretariat, and other stakeholders attended the course. The event was also transmitted live through webcast service of the Organization.

This is the first time under the CAJP that a course on this subject was held. The course represented an opportunity for participants to strengthen their awareness on the phenomenon of statelessness, as well as to the legal tools available to identify and provide protection for stateless persons, and to prevent and reduce statelessness.

The professors in charge of the classes were Mr. Mark Manly, Head of UNHCR's Statelessness Unit, and Ms. Laura van Waas, Senior Researcher and Manager of the Statelessness Programme, Tilburg Law School, The Netherlands. Both are renown authorities on the subject worldwide.