The Case of Colombia ISI’s World Conference on Statelessness saw strong representation from the Americas region which led to heavy discussion on statelessness in the migratory context especially in the context of the forced migration into Colombia from Venezuela. These conversations led to the initiative of developing a joint statement about the situation in Colombia which was prepared by a group at the Conference and shared with others who subsequently signed on. The statement was then used as an advocacy tool, culminating in Colombia adopting the Special Decree on 5 August 2019 granting Colombian citizenship to more than 24,000 children born to Venezuelan mothers on its territory since 2015, as well as all those who will be born in the next two years. On the final day, the Conference hosted the launch of long anticipated book ‘International Refugee Law and the Protection of Stateless Persons’ by Michelle Foster and Helene Lambert. “The Colombian experience shows that it is possible to join forces for a humanitarian cause, as [has] happened with the adoption of the exceptional measure in favour of the 24,000 stateless children.” Ana Maria Moreno Sachica Colombian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Workshop 20 Book Launch The book examines the extent to which the 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees protects de jure stateless persons. While de jure stateless fall within the scope of the 1954 Convention relating to the Status of Stateless Persons, this book explores contexts in which such persons are also entitled to refugee status. Sessions No longer locked in limbo: Tools and good practices for preventing immigration detention of stateless persons The position of non-citizens in democracy in an era of migration Stateless persons are often at risk of arbitrary immigration detention. Interventions may be made to prevent and/or end immigration detention at various stages. This session brought together experts and practitioners who exchanged tools and good practices relating to prevention and identification of stateless persons as part of immigration detention monitoring and securing solutions. On the second day of the Conference the idea of immigration detention was also considered during the session ‘Histories of Statelessness’ in which Andre Dao and Michael Green presented their award winning oral history project ‘Behind the Wire’ which documents the stories of men, women and children detained by the Australian government after seeking asylum in Australia. Dao and Green also participated in the CANCELLED Arts Programme of the Conference, and Conference participants were able to listen to audio clips of the stories of those detained. At a time when more and more people are on the move, we are increasingly confronted with new questions about what belonging means and how inclusion and exclusion are defined. This panel explored the interlinkages between nationality and migration, focusing on the position non-citizens have in the respective communities they find themselves in. The presenters unpacked the complexity of the relationship between the individual and the nation state, critically examining the rights and legal status of non-citizens living within their host community. Having identified the differences in access to rights between citizens and non-citizens of a particular State, the presenters looked at the justifications for these differences. The panel also explored the added value of regional organisations in addressing statelessness and reflected on the processes of identity formation for stateless people – the noncitizen par excellence.