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Education
A Basic Right for a Better Future
In the midst of conflict, education is often seen as a luxury for refugees or internally displaced people who are also struggling for food and shelter. But education is a basic right, one that is vital in restoring hope and dignity to people driven from their homes. It is an important tool to help them get back on their feet and build a better future.
UNHCR supports the UN Millenium Development Goal of ensuring that, by 2015, children everywhere, boys and girls alike, will be able to complete a full course of primary schooling. Providing access to basic education is a priority, and UNHCR provides this in all phases of operations such as care and maintenance, local settlement and integration, repatriation and even during emergencies.
Recognizing that education is pushed to the margin, especially during emergencies, UNHCR was involved in the creation of INEE (Inter-Agency Network for Education in Emergencies) and remains actively involved. The agency has also been pushing for education for all forcibly displaced children through its internet based ninemillion.org campaign, which also promotes sport for the millions of forcibly displaced young people.
And older students are not forgotten either. Under a programme funded by the German government since 1992, UNHCR offers higher education scholarships for refugees on a limited basis. The annual Albert Einstein German Academic Refugee Initiative (DAFI) has granted thousands of deserving young refugees scholarships at universities, colleges and polytechnics in their host countries.
Inter–Agency Network for Education in Emergencies
A network promoting access to quality education for all people affected by crisis.
DAFI Scholarships
The German-funded Albert Einstein German Academic Refugee Initiative provides scholarships for refugees to study in higher education institutes in many countries.
