High Commissioner's Dialogue on Protection Challenges, 2015

The eighth annual High Commissioner’s Dialogue on Protection Challenges took place on 16 and 17 December 2015, at the Palais des Nations in Geneva, Switzerland, on the theme: Understanding and addressing root causes of displacement.

In a mix of plenary sessions, debate, thematic discussions and side events, the Dialogue fostered an exchange of views on the understanding of causes of conflict-related displacement, the potential of humanitarian action, the drivers of onward movements, newly developing root causes of displacement and actions to prevent, address and resolve them.

A debate discussed the strong interlinkage of prevention and protection. Two side events took place, one on the importance of oral histories and gathering refugees’ narratives, the other on the impact of criminal violence on displacement in Central America.

The Dialogue brought together delegations from 90 countries, 68 NGOs, and 28 IGOs as well as academics and experts. In total, some 570 people participated, making it the largest Dialogue to date.

The outcomes of the Dialogue are summarized in High Commissioner Refugees António Guterres’ closing remarks as well as the reports of the thematic sessions, delivered in the final plenary session. The outcomes will be accessible on this page.