Refugee & Migrant Education:
Transforming “Dreams” into Action to Foster Hope, Understanding, and Meaningful Integration
By: Annemarijn Cozijnsen
Last Friday, November 8th 2024, Anthony J. Cernera – President and co-founder of Being the Blessing foundation and co-founder and team leader of the Refugee & Migrant Education (RME) Network – reminded us that we can choose to view the current challenging global scene as an invite to deepen our commitment to fostering the meaningful integration of refugees and migrants within educational systems. This message lied at the heart of the three-day conference ‘Refugee & Migrant Education: Pathways for Hope, Understanding & Meaningful Integration’ (November 6th – 8th 2024), organized by the RME Network, the Scalabrini International Migration Institute (SIMI), Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS), John Carroll University, the Villanova University Strategic Initiative for Refugees and Migrants at the Pontifical Urbaniana University in Rome. During these three days, scholars, researchers, community leaders, and practitioners underlined the human dignity of migrants and refugees, enhanced awareness of refugees and migrants’ stories, and advocated for the right to quality education for all.
Wednesday: stories of humanity, hope, and resilience
The conference’s opening session was led by Veronica De Sanctis from SIMI, Tina Facca-Miess from John Carroll University, and Fr. John Abubakar from Villanova University. Fr. John Abubakar particularly reminded the audience that as all human beings are made in the likeness of God, the issue of migration transcends political and cultural boundaries. He argued that, rather, the migration phenomenon is fundamentally a spiritual matter, touching upon our shared humanity. José Ignacio Eguizábal, JRS Deputy International Director, and Anthony J. Cernera further expanded on our shared humanity, focusing on the “hope” that exists within all of us. Cernera called upon all participants to discover the depths of hope within themselves, and to work together over the coming days in order to see possibilities and make dreams come true.
Building onto this, Anne-Christine Bloch, Geneva Representative of JRS, underscored that education is a fundamental human right, and that meaningful education should at all times be available, accessible, acceptable, and adaptable. Thereafter, she led a panel wherein four refugee students – Mahdia Sharifi, Dikonzo Akili Peter, Mathew Onen Terence Charles, and Carolina Vanesa Rodriquez Feltan – shared their personal experiences from their home countries, their journey to Italy, and their life here. Their stories of resilience and determination underscored the urgent need for inclusive education systems that can adapt to the unique challenges faced by refugees.
The afternoon plenary session discussed examples of such inclusion within education systems. Michele Pistone and David Dinehart from Villanova University, Tina Facca-Mies from John Carroll University, Walid Mosaraa from Every Campus A Refugee, and Carina Black from the Northern Nevada International Center discussed how to integrate the teaching and learning about refugees and migrants into the curriculum, how to research the quality of education for refugees and migrants, how to foster integration of migrants into campus communities, and successes of resettlement programmes.
Thursday: education as a journey from dependence to self-reliance
Cardinal Michael Czerny opened the first panel of this day, stating that refugees could be seen as “pilgrims of hope,” fleeing from despair. Education can – and should – guide this journey and assists people to reach their hopes for the future. Chiara Cardoletti, UNHCR Representative for Italy, the Holy See and San Marino, reiterated that education is the bridge from dependence to self-reliance as well. She highlighted Italy’s role in providing university corridors for refugees, a vital intiative in reaching UNHCR’s goal of enrolling 15% of refugee youth in higher education by 2030. UNHCR colleague Manal Stulgaitis further expanded on this 15by30 initiative. She highlighted how investment in refugee education, particularly for women, can yield high returns both socially and economically. Turning back to Italy, Andrea Pecoraro from UNHCR Italy discussed the collaboration between Italian universities and UNHCR on this topic. Michele Gradoli covered Luiss University’s Progetto Mediterraneo, including refugees within the Luiss education system. He discussed how while equality and equity should be promoted, universities should also be aware of refugee students’ own personal situations too. Lastly, Catherine Gladwell from Refugee Education UK (REUK) ended this panel with the powerful message that programs such as the REUK program are more than simply programs, but movements about connection, hope, valuing the individual, and changing the landscape.
The following plenary session, moderated by Angelo Pittaluga, Head of Global Advocacy at JRS, was centered around the themes of inclusion and hope. Dr. Hiba Salem set the stage with her research on Syrian refugees in Lebanon. While she illustrated the profound educational challenges they face, she also emphasized that integration is achievable with the support of NGOs and through advocacy. She framed education as a continuous journey, one that extends beyond school walls. The message of Carly Morlock from JRS resonated with this, as she discussed the need to increase refugee students’ access to secondary education. Fr. Cristóbal Madero Cabib brought attention to the pressing need for gender-responsive education as a way of dismantling harmful stereotypes and fostering a culture of respect. Catherine Gladwell from REUK also returned in this panel, and painted a clear picture of the UK’s fragmented educational landscape for refugees, where a lack of cohesive national policies on refugee education has led to severe challenges in refugee education. It became clear that a coordinated effort is needed to bridge these gaps. Finally, Obed Obutu Ombuna from JRS Eastern Africa emphasized that while the challenges faced by refugees are common—such as access to basic needs, financial support, and climate-induced barriers—their manifestations are still unique to each context.
In the afternoon, a first series of workshops delved into a wide range of topics, ranging from education about the global migration and refugee phenomenon to the economic inclusion of migrants. The day concluded on a hopeful note: by combining resources, knowledge, and compassion, we can create educational pathways that not only include refugees, but also empower them to thrive.
Friday: collaborative advocacy and strategic action plans
On Friday, our first session discussed media representation and the role of journalism. Journalist Vittorio Longhi highlighted the invisibility of migrant voices in mainstream media, nationally and internationally, and the urgent need to diversify newsrooms. Sabika Shah Povia from Associazione Carta di Roma shared her insights on navigating the increasingly fraught landscape of reporting on migration in Italy. She highlighted the shift in Italy’s political climate over the past decade; a shift that hardened and politicized the narrative around migration. Adding a personal perspective to the discussion, Afghan journalist Rahel Saya recounted her experiences coming to Italy, and working as a freelance journalist here. She emphasized the need to transcend labels and identities, reminding us all that, at our core, we should always accept each other as human beings.
The second half of Friday morning included a panel on applied research in refugee education, led by Catherine Gladwell. She introduced participants to the InSPPiRE initiative, which promotes inclusive and sustainable practices in refugee education. However, she also highlighted several gaps that still require urgent attention: improving language learning opportunities; adapting assessments to better fit refugee backgrounds; and offering interim educational support to bridge gaps in learning. Polly Akhurst further expanded on these themes by discussing lessons drawn from majority-world contexts. Nick Gill discussed the “Universities of Sanctuary” initiative, a UK-wide network of 38 universities currently, dedicated to creating welcoming environments for those seeking refuge. The project aims to embed a culture of sanctuary within academic institutions, fostering a sense of belonging and support for refugee students, and fostering a holistic approach to inclusivity within universities.
After lunch, Pietro Angelo Muroni, the Dean of the Faculty of Theology at the Pontifical University Urbaniana warmly welcomed participants and expressed a shared commitment to advancing educational access for refugees. His remarks reinforced the spirit of solidarity that permeated the conference, emphasizing that by working together, institutions can truly become places of refuge, learning, and hope.
The final workshops and session of the conference focused on turning our collective vision into action strategies for the future. In the workshops, we discussed avenues for research, impact measurement, advocacy, education about refugees, and education for refugees. In a powerful closing session, we shared our ideas, and Anthony J. Cernera reminded all participants that the conference was not officially ending, as it marked the beginning of a renewed commitment to action. He urged everyone to recognize that, while we cannot control our external circumstances, we can always choose how to respond to them.
In general, in a world increasingly marked by conflict, climate change, displacement, and the politicization of the migration phenomenon, the Refugee and Migrant Education conference served as a beacon of hope as well as a call to action. All speakers and participants underscored that addressing the needs of refugees and migrants is not merely a humanitarian or political obligation, but a moral imperative for all human beings. The final call to action was clear. As Cernera put it, we should not only dream, but also work together to bring these dreams to life. Every step forward is a step toward honoring the dignity of all human beings, creating a world where all youth can access the education and opportunities they deserve. The path ahead may be challenging, but with hope, cooperation, and a shared vision, we will get there, by deepening our commitment to creating a just, inclusive, and compassionate world.
Recordings of the sessions are available here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PfDRgEEYL4Y