What is UNHCR's goal for refugee higher education enrollment?

UNHCR aims to increase the enrollment of refugee youth in higher education to 15% by 2030, a goal known as the '15 by 30' roadmap. Currently, the enrollment rate is at 6%.

How does the Tertiary Refugee Student Network (TRSN) operate?

TRSN is structured with global, regional, and national leadership to advocate for refugee access to higher education, share information, and connect students with opportunities. It operates in various regions worldwide.

What challenges are faced in implementing refugee support initiatives?

Key challenges include initial trust issues from external stakeholders regarding refugee-led initiatives, the need for significant resources (funding and tools), and navigating complex administrative processes.

How are refugee voices being amplified in policy and decision-making?

Through participation in high-level international summits, advocacy on social media, and direct engagement with organizations like UNHCR, refugee leaders are increasingly having their voices heard and considered.

What are the key pillars of UNHCR's approach to refugee higher education?

The five pillars are: in-country enrollment, Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), the DAFI scholarship program, connected higher education (online/blended learning), and complementary education pathways (moving to a third country).

How does the pilot project in Uganda plan to function?

The project in Uganda will recruit and train 'solution advisors' who will then outreach to local refugee students, providing guidance on admissions, scholarships, and employment readiness.

What role does social media play in refugee advocacy?

Social media is a powerful tool for advocacy, allowing individuals like Adriana to share stories, connect with global refugee students, and raise awareness about the challenges and potential of refugees seeking higher education.

What is the significance of refugee-led initiatives?

Refugee-led initiatives are vital because they are informed by lived experiences, offering relevant and effective solutions. They build trust and demonstrate the capability of refugees to lead and manage their own support systems.

How can individuals get involved in supporting refugee education?

Start by engaging within your local community, identifying and addressing local challenges. Collaborate with organizations like TRSN, and advocate for inclusive policies and opportunities for refugees.

What is the current status of TRSN in Canada and the US?

Networks are actively being developed in Canada and the US, connecting refugee students and initiating collaborations with existing student organizations and university coalitions to expand support and advocacy.

Presentation and interrogation of a proposed 'Peer to Peer Refugee Solutions Advisor Network' -MS 23

MIT OpenCourseWare

Education5 min read63 min video

May 5, 2023|75 views|1

migration displacement livelihoods refugees education workforce development MIT ReACT storytelling migration summit peer to peer peer to peer work networking

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Key Moments

TL;DR

Refugee students launch a 'Peer to Peer Solutions Advisor Network' for global education and employment access.

Key Insights

The Peer to Peer Refugee Solutions Advisor Network is a refugee-led initiative aiming to connect refugees with educational and employment opportunities globally.

The network, born from the Tertiary Refugee Student Network (TRSN), has secured multi-year funding and aims for pilot implementation in several countries.

UNHCR's '15 by 30' roadmap targets a 15% enrollment rate of refugee youth in higher education by 2030, with current enrollment at 6%.

Student leadership and engagement are crucial for advocating refugee access to higher education, influencing peers, institutions, and policymakers.

The peer-to-peer model leverages lived experiences to guide refugees through admission processes, scholarships, and career readiness.

Resource mobilization, overcoming trust issues, and adapting to local contexts are identified as key challenges for network implementation.

INITIATIVE LAUNCH AND PURPOSE

The Migration Summit 2023 featured the presentation and interrogation of the proposed 'Peer to Peer Refugee Solutions Advisor Network.' This initiative, originating from the Tertiary Refugee Student Network (TRSN), is designed to connect refugees worldwide with education and employment opportunities. Notably, the network has secured significant funding and is moving from proposal to pilot implementation, signifying strong buy-in and future potential.

UNHCR'S HIGHER EDUCATION STRATEGY AND GOALS

The session provided an overview of UNHCR's commitment to refugee higher education, highlighted by the '15 by 30' roadmap, which aims to increase refugee youth enrollment in higher education from the current 6% to 15% by 2030. This ambitious goal requires robust partnerships, increased institutional involvement, and a concerted effort across five pillars: in-country enrollment, vocational training, UNHCR's DAFI scholarship program, connected higher education (online/blended), and complementary pathways to third countries.

THE POWER OF STUDENT LEADERSHIP AND ADVOCACY

The importance of refugee student leadership in shaping their own educational futures was emphasized. Organized refugee students act as influential role models and information sources for their peers, influential advocates for inclusive university policies, and powerful allies in building solidarity with non-refugee student groups. This peer-led advocacy is seen as vital and irreplaceable in advancing refugee protection and higher education strategies.

THE TERTIARY REFUGEE STUDENT NETWORK (TRSN)

TRSN, founded in 2019, unites refugee students globally to advocate for equitable access to higher education. Structured with global, regional, and national leadership, it facilitates information exchange and support networks. The network's presence spans multiple regions, including the Middle East, Asia, Africa, South America, North America, and Europe, with an ongoing effort to expand its reach to more countries and foster broader perspectives.

THE PEER-TO-PEER SOLUTIONS ADVISOR MODEL

The core of the initiative is the 'Peer to Peer Solutions Advisor Network,' funded with $45,000 USD through a UNHRC grant. This model, implemented in Uganda with local NGO support, operates on the principle of 'for refugees, by refugees.' Trained advisors provide guidance on navigating admission requirements, understanding scholarships, exploring employment readiness skills, and promoting diversity and inclusion, drawing directly from their lived experiences to support fellow refugees.

RESOURCE MOBILIZATION AND INFORMATION NAVIGATION

A critical component of the pilot is the development of a comprehensive information resource and online learning management system. This resource aims to map opportunities and provide contextualized navigational tools for refugee students. Research underscores the scarcity of studies on refugee information experiences, highlighting the need for accessible frameworks, information resilience building, and participatory methodologies like information world mapping to better understand and meet student information needs.

REGIONAL ADVOCACY AND GLOBAL ENGAGEMENT

Regional leaders, like Adriana Figueredo for Latin America, shared their experiences in advocating for refugee education at international forums such as transforming education summits and high commissioner dialogues. Their efforts focus on raising refugee voices, demonstrating their capacity as advisors, and influencing policy. Social media advocacy has also proven effective in connecting with a wider global network of refugee students seeking support and opportunities.

ACTIVITIES AND CHALLENGES IN EAST AFRICA

In East Africa, TRSN actively organizes online webinar series, connecting over 500 participants with information on scholarships and educational opportunities. Challenges include the lack of access to necessary equipment (laptops, internet), proper documentation, and bridging the 'what's next' gap for high school graduates. TRSN facilitates documentation like Conventional Travel Documents (CTDs) and provides application support for major scholarships, assisting over 100 students into higher education.

OVERCOMING IMPLEMENTATION HURDLES

Key challenges for the peer-to-peer network's implementation include establishing initial trust with stakeholders, particularly in demonstrating refugee self-sufficiency and capability. Securing adequate resources, including funding and essential tools, is paramount. Shifting paradigms to recognize refugees as capable solution providers and fostering collaboration with governments and organizations are crucial steps for the initiative's success and scalability.

ASSUMING ROLES AS TRUSTED ADVISORS

Refugee students are increasingly being recognized not just for their voices but as trusted advisors and experts. Their participation in high-level conferences and initiatives signifies a growing respect for their insights. By sharing their lived experiences and proposing solutions like the peer-to-peer network, they are actively contributing to policy-making and demonstrating their ability to drive change and improve access to education for their communities.

GLOBAL NETWORKING AND FUTURE DEVELOPMENT

Discussions included the growing presence of TRSN in Canada and the U.S., with efforts to connect refugee students and build networks. Collaboration with existing U.S. initiatives and university groups is underway to support new cohorts of refugee students arriving in these countries. The overall aim is to leverage these connections to showcase work, foster collaborations, and expand opportunities on a global scale.

CALL TO ACTION AND COLLABORATION

The session concluded with a strong call for continued collaboration and belief in refugee-led initiatives. Participants were thanked for their engagement, and the importance of considering refugee voices and lived experiences in policy and program development was reiterated. The peer-to-peer network is presented as a model for empowering refugees to lead in addressing their own challenges and creating pathways to education and dignity.

Mentioned in This Episode

●Software & Apps

●Organizations

●Concepts

●People Referenced

Peer-to-Peer Refugee Solutions Advisor Network Implementation Guide

Practical takeaways from this episode

Do This

Empower refugee students to become advisors and leaders.

Focus on peer-to-peer support for practical guidance.

Develop contextualized resources for information access.

Build global networks through collaboration and solidarity.

Advocate for greater access to higher education opportunities.

Engage with stakeholders and policymakers at high levels.

Recognize refugees as advisors with lived expertise.

Avoid This

Don't wait for external solutions; empower refugees to lead.

Don't overlook the importance of lived experience in providing advice.

Don't underestimate the impact of social media advocacy.

Don't assume a one-size-fits-all approach to refugee education needs.

Don't neglect the crucial role of mentorship and guidance.

Common Questions

It's a network where refugee students and graduates support each other by providing guidance, sharing information on higher education opportunities, and developing leadership and advocacy skills. It's an initiative designed by and for refugees.

Topics

Higher Education Access Tertiary Refugee Student Network Peer-to-Peer Support Refugee Advocacy Student Leadership Global South Education Scholarship Opportunities Digital Inclusion East Africa Global Compact On Refugees

Mentioned in this video

organizationStudent Voices for Refugees

A student group active in the US involved in advocacy and on-campus support for refugee students.

organizationGlobal Student Forum

A large student organization with which the Tertiary Refugee Student Network is building a strong partnership.

personManal Stillkatis

Works for the UN Refugee Agency in the education section at headquarters, leading on Refugee higher education globally.

organizationTertiary Refugee Student Network

An organization of refugee students and graduates advocating for access to higher education and developing initiatives like the peer-to-peer advisor network.

personAdriana Figueredo

Regional leader for Latin America for the Tertiary Refugee Student Network, originally from Venezuela and living in Mexico.

concept15 by 30 roadmap

UNHCR's objective to increase the enrollment of refugee youth in higher education to 15% by 2030, currently at 6%.

organizationElimisha Kakuma

An initiative familiar to Aju, likely related to educational support for refugees.

conceptMigration Summit 2023