someday . Though obtaining adequate funding and continuing to open legal barriers to such opportunities for refugee youth can be challenging , the international community is determined that Syria will not lose a generation of its children and youth , but will in fact empower them to be agents of positive change for building a better future .
Recommendation .
1 . The international community must prioritize long-term educational planning ( for primary , secondary , and post-secondary education ) from the very beginning of a refugee situation such as the Syrian refugee crisis , not just humanitarian aid . Support initiatives such as the UN ’ s Lost Generation Initiative and 3RP which is prioritizing education and livelihood opportunities for youth , as well as governments in neighboring countries such as Jordan , Lebanon , and Turkey , whose schools systems are accommodating Syrian refugee children . Develop funding strategies to support educational initiatives over the “ long-term ,” should the crisis be protracted over space and time .
2 . Improve access to formal education for out-of-school children by first analyzing barriers to access ( such as lack of documentation ) and then developing plans to address them . It is important to coordinate certification exams and curriculum standards across the region for Syrian children who may either return to Syria or integrate fully into the host countries .
3 . Tie educational opportunities into livelihood paths that are viable both in order to work in the host community and in order to rebuild Syria one day if that becomes an option . According to Mercy Corps , “ Investment in non-formal education can reach the hundreds of thousands of youth who have dropped out of school and won ’ t be going back . Through these models , Syrians and other marginalized youth can get the critical skills that are in demand on the labor market [… and for ] industries that will be vital for post-war reconstruction in Syria , including construction and technology .”
4 . Include both refugee youth and host nation youth in youth programming so that one population or the other is not marginalized . Focus on the educational needs of both refugees and host country nationals , creating a deliberative strategy to address both . Emphasize the social connection between refugee and nonrefugee youth so as to decrease potential tensions within the host nation .
5 . Consult with , involve , and work alongside youth so that their voices are heard in the design of programs meant to benefit them . In this way , youth will be empowered to shape real decisions in a non-violent way as real partners of change . Provide psychosocial support and teach skills for nonviolent conflict interaction ; this will acknowledge injustice experienced by the refugee youth and give them an outlet to express themselves without turning to violent extremism .
Note : Additional recommendations on how to improve refugee access to education and support Syria ’ s youth are available in the 2015 RAND study , “ Education of Syrian Refugee Children : Managing the Crisis in Turkey , Lebanon , and Jordan ,” and in Mercy Corp ’ s 2016 “ Unlocking a future for Syria ’ s Youth .”
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