The Model International Mobility Convention is the culmination of a two-year effort by an international commission to rewrite the rules for the movement of persons across borders, from visitors through to refugees.

The movement of people across borders lacks global regulation. This leaves many refugees in protracted displacement and many migrants unprotected in irregular and dire situations. Meanwhile, some states have become concerned that their borders have become irrelevant. International mobility—the movement of individuals across borders for any length of time as visitors, students, tourists, labor migrants, entrepreneurs, long-term residents, asylum seekers, or refugees—has no common definition or legal framework.

To address this key gap in international law, and the growing gaps in protection and responsibility that are leaving people vulnerable, the “Model International Mobility Convention” proposes a framework for mobility with the goals of reaffirming the existing rights afforded to mobile people (and the corresponding rights and responsibilities of states) as well as expanding those basic rights where warranted. The eight chapters of the Model International Mobility Convention were developed by a multidisciplinary Commission of eminent academic and policy experts to address a key gap in international law.

Professor Michael W. Doyle (University Professor, Columbia University) and Mr. Steven S. Nam (Managing Editor, CodeX Stanford Journal of Blockchain Law & Policy), both of whom were active in the development process, presented the Convention and discuss its significance in the context of the ongoing global migration crisis. They were joined by Professor Soh Changrok and a distinguished lineup of scholars and practitioners for further discussion on the Convention's applicability to the North Korean refugee situation, as well as other regional mobility issues. The relevance of new technologies such as blockchain technology was also addressed.

Agenda

Welcome (Speech by President of Korea University) (2–2:30pm)

Introduction to Model International Mobility Convention (2:30–2:50pm)  

• Michael W. Doyle, University Professor, Columbia University and Director, Columbia Global Policy Initiative

Group Photo Session (2:50–3:00pm)

Panel 1: International and Regional Impact of the Model Convention and its Relevance to New Technologies (3–4:20pm)

• Soh Changrok (moderator), Professor of the Graduate School of International Studies, Korea University
• Steven S. Nam, Managing Editor, CodeX Stanford Journal of Blockchain Law & Policy
• Park Mi Hyoung, Director, IOM Seoul Office
• Lee Shin-wha, Professor of Political Science and International Relations
• Lee Byung-hwa, Professor, University of Seoul
• Daniel Connolly, Research Professor, Graduate School of International Studies, Korea University

Panel 2: Convention’s Applicability to North Korean Refugees (4:30–5:50pm)

• Ambassador Oh Joon (moderator), Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade
• Patricia Goedde, Sunghyunkwan Univ. Law School
• Chung Suh-young, Professor, Graduate School of International Studies
• Baek Bum-Suk, Professor, Kyunghee University, College of International Studies
• Sarah Son, Research Professor, Graduate School of International Studies, Korea University   
• Park Euna, Yonsei University

Dinner Reception (6–8:30pm)

Please direct any questions or comments to Research Professor Seunghyun Nam ([email protected]) or Steven S. Nam ([email protected]).