Statelessness is an issue which is not often discussed and can be overlooked. It affects approximately 10 million people globally. Statelessness can occur when individuals lack nationality or citizenship from and country, even if they were born there. As a result, stateless individuals are not recognized as citizens by any Government, leading to severe hardships, discrimination, and systemic difficulties and that many remain unaware of.

We invite you to join us on Friday, November 8th, from 10am to 11:30am via Zoom for our event, Statelessness: A Global, a Canadian, and a Human Perspective.

Esteemed panelists Deny Dobobrov, Andrew Griffith, and Jamie Chai Yun Liew will explore this multifaceted issue, drawing on their expertise and firsthand experiences.

Deny Dobobrov, Director of International Relations for the World Roma Federation and an Accredited UN Representative, will speak to the global aspects of statelessness through the experiences of the Roma people, who have endured generations of discrimination and injustice. In Canada, statelessness is also a pressing concern.

Andrew Griffith, author, multiculturalism expert, and former Director General for Citizenship and Multiculturalism, will share insights from his research, highlighting the statistics and experiences of stateless individuals within various immigrant communities across the country.

Finally, Jamie Chai Yun Liew, a lawyer, professor, and author, will shed light on the human aspects of statelessness. She will address often-overlooked realities, such as the lack of access to basic amenities and services, and the broader impact on families and communities.

About the Speakers:

Deny Dobobrov & Janos Sztojka: Deny Dobobrov is a dedicated advocate for Roma rights and Recognition. As the Director of International Relations for the World Roma Federation, Deny tirelessly works to promote the self-determination of the Roma people, advocating for the recognition of the Roma as a Stateless Nation. His efforts include initiating crucial dialogues with governments in Eastern Europe and advancing the cause of the Roma on the global stage. He is also a certified human rights educator, passionate about Roma rights and community empowerment.

Janos Sztojka is a globally recognized community leader and the founder and President of the World Roma Federation, with over 30 years of experience as an activist and philanthropist. He oversees the day-to-day operations, strategies, and diplomatic engagements of the organization. Janos is a steadfast advocate for the rights of the Roma, leading efforts to secure recognition of the Roma as a Stateless Nation. He organized the modern day’s largest World Romani Congress in Hungary in 2017, where over 150 leaders and activists gathered to discuss and advance the cause of the Roma people. His leadership is marked by a deep commitment to unity within the Roma community and strategic advocacy on both national and international platforms.

Andrew Griffith: Andrew Griffith is the author of Multiculturalism in Canada: Evidence and Anecdote, Policy Arrogance or Innocent Bias: Resetting Citizenship and Multiculturalism and Because it’s 2015 … Implementing Diversity and Inclusion. He is a regular media commentator and blogger (Multiculturalism Meanderings). Andrew is the former Director General for Citizenship and Multiculturalism and has worked for a variety of Government departments in Canada and abroad. He is a fellow of the Environics Institute.

Jamie Chai Yun Liew (she/her): Jamie Chai Yun Liew is a full professor at the Faculty of Law, University of Ottawa and a practising immigration and refugee lawyer. She is the author of a novel DANDELION and her most recent non-fiction book, GHOST CITIZENS is a legal study on how the vestiges of colonial law and our current understanding of citizenship creates and maintains statelessness.

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