What is the difference between assisted and unassisted repatriation?

Assisted repatriation involves support from UNHCR or other organizations for transportation, shelter, and legal aid. Unassisted repatriation means the refugee undertakes the return journey and reintegration solely on their own resources and initiative.

How does higher education impact a refugee's decision to repatriate?

Higher education can foster a desire to contribute to one's home country, build confidence for unassisted return, increase aspirations for better income, develop networks crucial for job opportunities and reintegration, and directly lead to employment by meeting minimum qualification requirements.

What challenges do refugees face when repatriating to conflict-affected countries?

Repatriating to conflict zones is difficult due to ongoing insecurity. Refugees may not be able to return to their original towns and might face challenges integrating into new communities or the job market due to language barriers or discrimination against returnees.

Can remote work facilitate repatriation for refugees?

Remote work can be a significant factor in facilitating repatriation. If a refugee can earn a stable income remotely, it provides the financial means and confidence to cover the costs and risks associated with returning home and establishing a new life.

What are some policy recommendations to support refugee repatriation?

Recommendations include funding more higher education programs, UNHCR supporting small-scale and unassisted returns, and modifying existing programs to allow returnees to continue their education or complete internships in their home countries.

How do networks built during higher education aid refugee repatriation?

University networks can be vital for refugees planning to repatriate. These connections can provide job leads, internships, and support for reintegration in the home country, significantly increasing the likelihood of successful return and employment.

Does completing higher education guarantee safety upon repatriation?

Higher education does not guarantee safety, as it doesn't eliminate the threats that caused the initial flight. However, it can provide skills and opportunities to return to safer areas within the country or secure employment that mitigates some risks.

Higher Education as a Pathway to Voluntary Repatriation

MIT OpenCourseWare

Education4 min read57 min video

Apr 13, 2023|170 views|6

migration displacement livelihoods refugees education workforce development MIT ReACT storytelling migration summit repatriation higher education displaced communities

Save to Pod

Key Moments

TL;DR

Higher education empowers refugees to successfully repatriate by building confidence, skills, and networks for reintegration.

Key Insights

Voluntary repatriation is the most desired durable solution for the largest number of refugees.

Higher education provides refugees with skills, confidence, and networks crucial for successful unassisted repatriation.

A university degree significantly increases earning potential upon return to the home country.

Leveraging networks built during higher education is vital for securing employment and reintegrating into the home country.

The Jesuit principles of 'being a man for others' motivate many refugees to return and contribute to their home countries.

There's a need for UNHCR and universities to better support small-scale and part-time returnees, as well as continued education for repatriates.

UNDERSTANDING DURABLE SOLUTIONS FOR REFUGEES

The session 'Higher Education as a Pathway to Voluntary Repatriation' explored the often-overlooked link between higher education and refugees returning to their home countries. With over 32 million refugees globally, the UNHCR identifies three durable solutions: local integration, resettlement, and voluntary repatriation. Repatriation is the most desired by the majority, yet higher education's role in facilitating this path is frequently underestimated. Statistics reveal low access to local integration (less than 5%) and resettlement (less than 1%), highlighting repatriation's practical significance.

THE NUANCES OF VOLUNTARY REPATRIATION

Repatriation can be assisted, with organizations like UNHCR providing support for return to safe countries, or unassisted, which is more common for individuals returning to conflict-affected regions like the DRC or South Sudan. The research focuses on unassisted repatriation, emphasizing how higher education equips individuals to navigate this complex process. Successful repatriation hinges on effective reintegration, which involves finding employment, establishing financial stability, and rebuilding social connections, all areas significantly impacted by university education.

A PERSONAL JOURNEY OF REPATRIATION

Regeza, a Congolese national, shared his five-and-a-half-year journey from refugee status in Malawi back to the DRC. Fleeing conflict in Goma, he seized educational opportunities in Malawi, pursuing a degree through Jesuit Worldwide Learning. His motivation to return stemmed from a desire to apply learned leadership and management skills to rebuild his country, fueled by a belief that education is key to addressing national problems. He highlights 'push' factors like limited job opportunities in Malawi despite qualifications, and 'pull' factors such as a job offer leveraging his newly acquired drone piloting skills.

HIGHER EDUCATION AS A CATALYST FOR RETURN

Nadia's dissertation research identified five key themes linking higher education to repatriation: a desire to contribute to one's home country, increased confidence to return unassisted, aspiration to earn a better income, capacity to leverage networks, and essential qualifications for employment. Participants felt a duty to rebuild their nations, empowered by hard and soft skills gained through education, often influenced by Jesuit principles of service. This education instilled confidence in navigating logistical and interpersonal challenges associated with returning.

EMERGING FROM REFUGEE STATUS WITH NEW PROSPECTS

The aspiration to earn a better income is a significant motivator, especially in countries with restricted work rights for refugees. Participants reported earning six to twelve times more after repatriation compared to their refugee stipends. Networks forged in university programs proved invaluable, facilitating job placements and social integration. This includes connections made through scholarship providers, student associations, and university-affiliated organizations, critically aiding in securing initial employment and fostering a sense of belonging upon return, preventing a return to refugee status.

THE QUALIFICATION-EMPLOYMENT NEXUS

The research underscores that a university degree is often a minimum qualification for employment, making repatriation without the promise of a job nearly impossible. Individuals faced challenges returning to countries with no assets and limited resources. Therefore, securing employment before repatriation was paramount for all participants. Those who completed higher education are now employed in roles requiring their degrees, contrasting sharply with their previous volunteer stipends. This demonstrates how education directly translates into viable career paths, enabling successful reintegration.

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR ENHANCING REPATRIATION PATHWAYS

Specific recommendations emerged from the findings, including increased funding for higher education programs for refugees, viewing it as a human right. UNHCR is urged to support small-scale and part-time returnees, providing assistance for those returning to conflict zones. Modifications to existing higher education opportunities should allow returnees to continue their studies, either online or through satellite offices in their home countries. Furthermore, universities and scholarship programs should proactively facilitate internships and return opportunities, as demonstrated by instances where this led directly to employment and successful repatriation.

ADDRESSING REINTEGRATION CHALLENGES AND FUTURE RESEARCH

Challenges like discrimination against returnees based on where they received their education, and difficulties in finding jobs that value their qualifications in their home countries, were discussed. Participants often had to downplay their 'foreign' experiences to access basic services. The concept of remote work was explored as a potential financial enabler for repatriation. Future research could focus on the ripple effect of successful repatriates inspiring others and quantitatively proving the causal link between higher education and voluntary repatriation, potentially influencing third-country resettlement policies.

Mentioned in This Episode

●Companies

●Organizations

●People Referenced

Common Questions

The three durable solutions for refugees are local integration into a host country, resettlement to a third country, and voluntary repatriation back to their home country. Voluntary repatriation is often the most practical solution for the largest number of refugees.

Topics

Repatriation Durable Solutions Conflict Zones Returnees DRC

Mentioned in this video

legislation1951 Convention

The convention that defines who is a refugee and outlines their rights and the legal responsibilities of states.

organizationJesuit Refugee Service

An organization that provided scholarship programs to refugees, influencing participants' motivation to return home.

locationGoma

A city in the DRC, which Regaza had to flee in 2016 due to conflict.

companyThomas Jefferson University

One of the seventeen universities contacted by a refugee in Turkey for a scholarship, who was later denied a visa to study.

companyMekelle University

A university that was contacted by a refugee in Turkey for a scholarship, but visa issues prevented their attendance.

organizationMocud Foundation

An organization that offers scholarships for refugee students to UK universities like Edinburgh, Oxford, and Cambridge, with arrangements supporting visa applications.

organizationSouthern New Hampshire University