Ei-iE

Lagadikia, Greece - August 25, 2016 | Image credit: verve231, iStock
Lagadikia, Greece - August 25, 2016 | Image credit: verve231, iStock

Education for inclusion: promoting the rights of migrants and refugees

Campaigns

Education is a human right yet is it out of reach for millions of refugees and migrants across the world. Be it in camps along the way or in their new host countries, displaced children and young people face innumerable hurdles in accessing education.

Migrant and refugee teachers also face often unsurmountable barriers. Despite being highly skilled and experienced, many migrant and refugee teachers are not given the opportunity to practice their profession in their host country.

We advocate for inclusive education systems and school communities where migrants and refugees feel welcome and all students can learn together and reach their full potential. For this to happen, governments must support educators so that they can help each and every student to truly thrive.

We also call for the accreditation and recognition of the qualifications of foreign qualified teachers, to allow them to pursue their teaching career following displacement or migration.

Video

Educators are mobilising for the rights of migrants and refugees. Join us!

9 December 2020

Education for inclusion – what can educators and their unions do

  1. Achieving Sustainable Development Goal 4

    Activating the recommendations on teachers in crisis contexts

    United Nations High-Level Panel on the Teaching Profession recommendations
    22 May 2024

    The High-Level Panel on the Teaching Profession was convened by the United Nations Secretary General in response to the global teacher shortage. Tasked with providing policy advice for governments to ensure that every child’s right to a professionally-trained, qualified, and well-supported teacher is fulfilled, the Panel identified 59 recommendations.

    Activating the recommendations on teachers in crisis contexts
    1. Download
  2. Equity and inclusion

    Promoting integration of migrants and refugees in and through education: Toolkit

    10 December 2018

    Education unions are defending the right to learn and to teach of newcomers. They develop advocacy to promote more inclusive schools in the context of increasingly diverse communities and in reaction to the rise of populist anti-immigration political forces. These strategies and practical actions are now compiled in a new...

    Promoting integration of migrants and refugees in and through education: Toolkit
    1. Download
  3. Equity and inclusion

    How to use our toolkit on promoting the integration of migrants and refugees in and through education

    10 November 2018

    Do you want to know more about migration and education? How do you include refugees and newcomers in your classroom? How can you help promote inclusion in society through education? Check our video-tutorial, based on our toolkit for educators.

Our work to promote inclusion in education for migrants and refugees

  1. Achieving Sustainable Development Goal 4 12 December 2023

    Education International puts teachers in the spotlight at the Global Refugee Forum

    The Global Refugee Forum is taking place in Geneva from 13 to 15 December. Education International (EI) is spearheading global efforts to support the rights of teachers in contexts of forced displacement and crises.

    Read more Education International puts teachers in the spotlight at the Global Refugee Forum
  2. Standards and working conditions 6 October 2023

    Addressing the overlooked plight of refugee teachers

    Becky Telford

    As we mark World Teachers Day 2023 , it is essential that we peel back the curtain on an issue that remains largely ignored: the plight of refugee teachers. Since 1994, we've come together every year to celebrate the remarkable contributions of teachers worldwide. But how often do we pause...

    Read more Addressing the overlooked plight of refugee teachers
  3. Equity and inclusion 4 October 2023

    Aloyo Stella's Classroom: a reflection on the education we want

    Susan Hopgood

    “Despite the terrible conditions, we continue to support our students because we know our work is critical for millions of the most vulnerable children around the world. But we cannot do it alone.” Aloyo Stella Oryang , refugee teacher.

    Read more Aloyo Stella's Classroom: a reflection on the education we want
  4. Equity and inclusion 19 June 2023

    World Refugee Day: The imperative to save lives and give hope

    The recent shipwreck in the Mediterranean that claimed hundreds of lives highlights once again the plight of those fleeing conflict, poverty, and persecution. Education International and education unions around the world call on all governments to respect the rights of all refugees without discrimination of any kind. Lives must be...

    Read more World Refugee Day: The imperative to save lives and give hope
  5. Leading the profession 11 April 2023

    EI solidarity mission to Türkiye: Educators and unionists on the frontlines

    An Education International delegation visited the earthquake-affected area in Turkiye, meeting with teachers, unionists, volunteers, and local leaders to deliver a message of solidarity and convey condolences for the terrible losses suffered, but also to take stock of the scale of the destruction and the needs on the ground in...

    Read more EI solidarity mission to Türkiye: Educators and unionists on the frontlines
more: Our work to promote inclusion in education for migrants and refugees

Publications and resources

  1. Equity and inclusion

    Statement by the global labour movement on the United Nations Secretary General’s Biennial Report on the Implementation of the Global Compact for Migration

    5 December 2024

    On 5 December 2024, United Nations Secretary General, Antonio Guterres, presents to the UN General Assembly his 3rd biennial report on the implementation of the Global Compact on Migration. The report also includes a limited set of indicators to assist reviews of the Compact alongside a strategy for improving disaggregated...

    Statement by the global labour movement on the United Nations Secretary General’s Biennial Report on the Implementation of the Global Compact for Migration
    1. Download
  2. Achieving Sustainable Development Goal 4

    Activating the recommendations on teachers in crisis contexts

    United Nations High-Level Panel on the Teaching Profession recommendations
    22 May 2024

    The High-Level Panel on the Teaching Profession was convened by the United Nations Secretary General in response to the global teacher shortage. Tasked with providing policy advice for governments to ensure that every child’s right to a professionally-trained, qualified, and well-supported teacher is fulfilled, the Panel identified 59 recommendations.

    Activating the recommendations on teachers in crisis contexts
    1. Download
  3. Equity and inclusion

    Pledging Guidance on Teachers and Teaching in Forced Displacement Situations

    2023 Global Refugee Forum
    3 October 2023

    In the lead up to the Global Refugee Forum (GRF) 2023, thematic task teams have been established within the GRF Education Alliance which brings together a range of stakeholders working together to operationalise the education-related provisions of the Global Compact on Refugees. Education International leads the GRF Education Alliance Task...

    Pledging Guidance on Teachers and Teaching in Forced Displacement Situations
    1. Download
  4. Achieving Sustainable Development Goal 4

    Education of Refugees and Internally Displaced Persons in the Context of COVID-19: The Education for Life Project in Uganda and South Sudan

    15 March 2021

    The COVID-19 pandemic has devastated education systems, communities, and economies across Africa and globally. The health crisis has seriously affected the education, health and well-being of refugees, migrants and internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Uganda, South Sudan and across the continent.

    Education of Refugees and Internally Displaced Persons in the Context of COVID-19: The Education for Life Project in Uganda and South Sudan
    1. The Education for Life Project in Uganda and South Sudan
    2. Lições do Projeto de Educação para a Vida no Uganda e Sul do Sudão
  5. Equity and inclusion

    Promoting integration of migrants and refugees in and through education: Toolkit

    10 December 2018

    Education unions are defending the right to learn and to teach of newcomers. They develop advocacy to promote more inclusive schools in the context of increasingly diverse communities and in reaction to the rise of populist anti-immigration political forces. These strategies and practical actions are now compiled in a new...

    Promoting integration of migrants and refugees in and through education: Toolkit
    1. Download
more: Publications and resources

Our policy

  1. Achieving Sustainable Development Goal 4 17 September 2019

    Education for Refugees

    Education for Refugees
    Resolution from the 8th World Congress