Nineteenth International Conference on Diversity in Organizations, Communities & Nations

Abstract

The influx of refugees crossing the continent’s borders has elicited a mixed wave of emotions among politicians and citizens - but where some see chaos and a burden for Europe, academics see the potential for a great contribution. Education is essential for giving refugee children hope for the future; development goals cannot be achieved without educating those who have been left behind. Education brings long-term societal benefits: aside from increased political engagement, educated children contribute intellectual capital and pursue entrepreneurial opportunities when they grow up, boosting economic growth. First, “for all” means that we must focus on the children who have been left behind. Millions of children are out of school or are receiving a sub-standard education because of whom they are or where they live. According to the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, refugee children are five times more likely to be out of school than other children in the countries to which they’ve been displaced. Getting these children into school will require new approaches that directly address their exclusion and make schooling genuinely accessible and relevant. For refugees who have already received an education, it is vital to recognize this part of their identity and to nurture their knowledge and intellectual capital. A refugee’s academic training and intellectual interests travel with them wherever they go and follow their flight. If refugees are given the necessary resources, networks, and opportunities, they can reconnect with their true identities in any of the EU countries or elsewhere in the world.