Around 150 participants representing universities, UN agencies, faith-based and humanitarian organisations, as well as migrant and refugee students gathered at the Pontifical Urbaniana University in Rome, Italy, from 6-8 November 2024 to address the importance of education in promoting mutual understanding, participation and integration of refugees, migrants and displaced persons in societies.

The active participation of refugees in the conference was a good example of how we can change the narrative by giving people with lived experience the space to share their perspectives so that they can become the main actors and protagonists of change.

“We need to address the real needs to ensure better access to education for refugees and migrants. This space provided an opportunity to engage directly with students, universities, NGOs, and those who can bring these voices to policymakers. We need to consider these challenges within a new framework that integrates refugees and ensures that their needs are heard,” shared Mahdia Sharifi, an Afghan refugee student at Roma Tre University and one of the speakers of the refugee perspectives panel.

During the three-day conference, participants shared learnings, best practices, and concrete experiences addressing critical issues in education and integration. They also explored opportunities for innovative educational practices that ensure access to quality schooling for all and contribute to creating more resilient and cohesive societies.

“Education is a powerful tool to bring about positive change and to give refugee and migrant children and youth the tools to become agents of change not only in their own lives, but also in those of their family, community and society. Education is a safe space for refugee and migrant children against exploitation, early and forced marriage, violence and abuse, recruitment into the armed forces or criminal gangs,” said Anne-Christine Bloch, JRS Geneva Representative, who opened the conference addressing global perspectives in refugee education.

Card. Michael Czerny SJ, Prefect of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, in his reflection spoke of the importance of including parents, teachers, and communities in the development of educational programmes, which has been shown to reduce dropouts. “The goal of education is always communal; education is the path to our unique vocation, the path to life,” he said, stressing that education programmes should be conceived as a process focusing on social infrastructure and promoting social cohesion.

Ms. Chiara Cardoletti, UNHCR Representative for Italy, the Holy See and San Marino, brought attention to higher education, highlighting that only 7% of refugee youth have access to tertiary education compared to the global average of 42%, with girls being massively left behind. Overall huge funding shortfalls are a major concern but there are also best practices in complementary pathways, like the movement of universities in Italy that are making increasing efforts to include and accompany refugee students in their programmes.

At the end of the conference, participants finalised recommendations and concrete steps to strengthen collaboration, advancing the right to education for all and fostering more resilient, cohesive societies.

Key actions include:

• Raising funds for scholarships and concrete projects to support migrant and refugee students, recognising that universities can play a key role in the integration of refugee and migrant students as well as in the creation or consolidation of complementary pathways for refugee students.
• Investing more into research and analyses on migrations and forced displacement, focusing especially on evidence-based research that can be used as an advocacy tool.
• Shifting the research methodology, which often focuses on “receiving countries perspectives”, towards the perspectives of people with lived experience and other parts of the world – as suggested by Mathew Onen Terence Charles, a South Sudanese student from Trento University.
• Improving the coordination and cooperation between NGOs and universities, including providing guidance on the areas of research that need more attention.
• Creating a network of students and researchers with expertise in this field of study, providing a digital badge, and increasing engaging activities, including volunteering services with projects serving refugees.
• Strengthening networking with other networks and partners, including Governments, UN agencies, Civil Society organisations, media, and the private sector.

“Here we have renewed our individual and common commitment to accompany refugees and migrants, our sisters and brothers, on the journey towards the world of justice, peace, and fullness,” said Professor Anthony Cernera, President of the RME Network and co-founder of Being the Blessing Foundation, in his closing remarks.

The International Conference “Refugee and Migrant Education: Pathways for Hope, Understanding, and Meaningful Integration” was organised by co-hosting partners Refugee & Migrant Education Network (RME Network), Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS), Scalabrini International Migration Institute (SIMI), John Carroll University and Villanova University-Strategic Initiative for Refugees and Migrants.