In addition to the primary, secondary and tertiary education provided, UNHCR also carries out vocational skills training as well as a Peace Education programme.

The Peace Education Programme (PEP) was developed in 1997 in Kenya’s Kakuma and Dadaab camps to teach and/or enhance the skills of constructive, non–violent behaviour in refugee and returnee communities. It is an experiential learning programme designed for both formal and non–formal education, and has a specific component for out–of–school youth.

The programme is now operating in 12 countries. In Africa, the programme operates in Côte d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Guinea, Kenya, Liberia, Sierra Leone and Uganda. Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Kosovo have also adopted the programme.

In late 2001/early 2002, an external evaluation was undertaken of the programme in Kenya. This evaluation showed a strong correlation between the implementation of PEP and a reduction in violence in the camps. The report also revealed that the refugees found the programme inspiring and felt it gave them hope, something many had lost.