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Higher education for refugees: Good practices from the DAFI programme

Higher education for refugees: Good practices from the DAFI programme. “ Strengthening Delivery of Higher Education to Refugees ” Istanbul, Turkey 6 October 2015. UNHCR ’ S mandate. Under the 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees: UNHCR ’ s mandate is to safeguard

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Higher education for refugees: Good practices from the DAFI programme

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  1. Higher education for refugees:Good practices from the DAFI programme “Strengthening Delivery of Higher Education to Refugees” Istanbul, Turkey 6 October 2015

  2. UNHCR’S mandate Under the 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees: UNHCR’s mandate is to safeguard the rights and well-being of refugees • Ensuring protection for people of concern • Providing for basic needs • Finding durable solutions

  3. Forced displacement in 2014 59.5 million forcibly displaced as a result of persecution, conflict, generalized violence and human rights violations 14.4 million refugees under UNHCR’s protection 38.2 million IDPs 51%of all refugees are under 18 Over 4 million Syrian refugees in host countries in the region (1st October 2015)

  4. UNHCR Education Strategy 2012-2016 Action 4: More young people will follow higher education courses Kenya/UNHCR/R. Gangale/May 2010

  5. Contribution of higher education • Globally, less than 1% of refugees have access to higher education opportunities and demand is rapidly increasing • Higher education for refugees serves individuals, communities and societies • Professional development and self-reliance • Reinforced protection of children and young people • Skill-sets necessary for solutions to refugee situations • Peaceful co-existence between refugee and host communities

  6. DAFI scholarship programme • Initiated and primarily funded by Germany, complemented by private donors, implemented by UNHCR since 1992 • Sustainable growth: 2,240 scholarships for refugees in 41 host countries in 2014 • TOP-5 subjects of study: business &commerce, medical &health, pedagogics, engineering, mathematics & IT • Largest student populations: Afghans, Somali, Congolese, Sudanese, Syrians

  7. DAFI for Syrian refugees • DAFI has rapidly scaled up access for Syrian refugees: from 34 students in 2013 to 144 students in 2014 • New country programmes in Lebanon and Turkey since 2014, expanded programmes in Jordan and Egypt • 200 new scholarships for Syrians in 2015 • Demonstration of high demand: 5,800 applications for 70 scholarships in Turkey in 2015

  8. Connected/ blended learning • Combination of online and onsite learning adapted to refugee contexts (urban, camp-based) • Flexibility in programmes • Expanding and diversifying access to accredited higher education within refugee communities • Complementary approach to scholarships • Jordan: English and IT classes in Amman by JC-HEM • UNHCR’s engagement in operational partnerships: towards a consortium of connected learning partners

  9. Good practices • Clear selection criteria & diverse student cohorts • Reach-out to refugee communities, management of expectations • Investment in broad partnerships • Governments, academic institutions, NGOs, refugee committees • Established student support throughout the programme • Creation of student and graduate networks, peer support • Perspectives beyond studies and the programme • Education and protection response, professional development • Ensuring broader benefits for refugee communities • Volunteering as part of the scholarship, guidance to students

  10. Considerations on scholarships for refugees • Protection and legal status of refugee students • Clarity in legal status of utmost importance • Right to work, prospects after graduation? • Communication with government offices and other actors • Sustainability of scholarships • Coverage of whole degree cycle • Language, academic and psychosocial support • Integration into social networks

  11. Regional Context • Access to higher education important in the region • Providing meaningful education opportunities for youth • Reducing economic vulnerability • Improving livelihoods • Contributing to protection of young people and of their communities • Regional Refugee and Resilience Plan (2015 – 2016) • USD 455 million for education, including higher ed needs for 11,000 refugees • Increased Scholarships (COA and third countries) • Complement education and protection strategies • Preserve protection space for refugees in the region

  12. Considerations • Initiatives outside UNHCR should consider: • Protection and safety of refugee students • Requisite precautions to “do no harm” • Lead to durable solutions • Coordination (with protection and education mechanisms) - key to avoid unintended consequences e.g. jeopardizing protection of students including legal status • Principle of long term support – full course of study to complete certification

  13. Considerations • Country of Asylum • Capacity building of local higher education institutions • Necessary support to integrate into the academic environment for social cohesion • Third Countries • Protection against situations of expiry of residency, destitution or forced return as a result of studying abroad • Close coordination with national authorities on legal status, lawful travel, asylum procedures, work placements etc.

  14. Questions and comments? The floor is open for discussion!

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