[OP] Enhancing Refugee Integration in Education: The Need for Early Childhood Focus and Refugee Expert Engagement

Last month, I had the profound privilege of attending the Wilton Park meeting from November 20-22, 2024 on integration of refugee children in national education systems.

This meeting was organised collaboratively by the World Bank, UNHCR, and FCDO to support the progress of the Education Mega pledge during the Global Refugee Forum in Dec 2023. As both an advocacy expert focused on Early Childhood Education (ECE) and a refugee woman, entering this space was not just a good thing to have, it was necessary.

I represented the Moving Minds Alliance (MMA) as the Senior Engagement & Advocacy Manager and as a refugee expert on meaningful refugee leadership and participation and I was encouraged to speak with my refugee hat as well to ensure that refugee leadership was woven into the strategic discussions shaping the future of education for refugee children.

The meeting gathered 47 participants, creating a vibrant mosaic of essential voices across multiple sectors. Among the attendees were education ministers from host countries hosting refugees, donor governments and institutional donors and members of NGOs and academic institutions; all there to discuss the importance of integrating refugee children in host countries’ national education systems. This diversity underscored the importance of a collaborative, global and national approach to addressing the challenges faced by refugee children and families in crisis and displacement.

Facilitating Meaningful Conversations

One of the most memorable moments I had at Wilton Park was facilitating a World Café session focused on Early Childhood Development in Emergencies (ECDIE), alongside colleagues Rein and Paul from the LEGO Foundation. This session was designed to be playful and engaging, encouraging all attendees, regardless of their professional roles, to reconnect with their playful side. We invited participants to collaborate in building a world from LEGO bricks—one where refugee children can feel safe and have access to early learning opportunities similar to those available to other children.

This innovative format allowed participants to engage in dynamic, meaningful discussions. It was clear to me—and, I believe, to other attendees—that collaboration and coordination are essential on a national level to achieve holistic learning for refugee and host children and that the inclusion of the perspectives of those directly affected by these crises, especially refugees, is critical for meaningful policy and practice development.

I was then asked to give a speech on the importance of inclusion of refugee perspectives in national education policy decision making. I focused on five different points:

Changing the Narrative

A key point I drove home during my speech was the urgent need to stop labeling us refugees as a “burden.” Such language, whether used consciously or unconsciously, dehumanizes us and diminishes our potential. Being a refugee is not our identity; it is a status imposed upon us. We are individuals from diverse backgrounds, each bringing unique talents, perspectives, and innovations that can enrich the communities in which we settle. We want to contribute to long-term solutions for our communities and our host communities. My message resonated with the audience, underscoring the idea that, with trust and access to education and employment, we can contribute just like any other citizen.

The Critical Role of Early Education

As the Senior Advocacy and Engagement Manager at MMA and a board member of the UNHCR Refugee Advisory Board, I shared how my achievements were made possible through education—especially early education and learning. Research demonstrates that 90% of a child’s brain develops by age five, emphasizing the critical window for intervention. I noted that access to early learning opportunities has been shown to lower school dropout rates and foster long-term economic productivity. This is not merely an investment in individual refugees; it is an investment in broader societal health and economic stability.

For every $1 invested in early learning, there is a $13 return on investment. Such statistics illustrate a significant win-win situation, benefiting not just refugee children but host communities and the country at large. By prioritizing Early Childhood Development for all children—refugee and host communities alike—we can optimize our resources and enhance educational outcomes across the board.

Why Inclusion Matters

I spent a considerable portion of my speech discussing the importance of including refugee education experts, parents, and children in consultations for education policies and strategies. The reasons for this are compelling:

• Enhanced Policy Relevance: Refugee education experts can guide governments in shaping education policies that meet specific refugee community needs. Their lived experiences illuminate unique barriers and opportunities, leading to more effective educational policy outcomes for all.
• Valuable Knowledge: Refugees possess unique educational, professional, and lived experiences. This knowledge can contribute to culturally responsive educational practices that enrich the learning environment for everyone.
• Long-term Stability: Involving refugee experts in education policy fosters a more inclusive school culture and improves educational outcomes for all students. A stronger emphasis on integration supports stability and prosperity for both refugees and host communities.
•  It is a fundamental right which increases accountability and trust: meaningful engagement with and participation in formulating solutions to issues which affect you is a fundamental human right. When refugee perspectives are included in decision-making, it enhances transparency, fosters ownership within the community and ultimately strengthening relationships between governments and the refugee populations they serve.

Finally, because it just makes sense. Meaningful discussions on critical issues require the voices of those directly affected at the center. How can we truly address men’s mental health without their input, or understand the needs of minority communities without minority representation? Can we accurately assess women’s priorities in meetings dominated by men? And how can we comprehend the challenges faced by refugees without their firsthand experiences and insights? Including our refugee voices isn’t just helpful—it’s absolutely crucial for genuine understanding and effective tailored solutions.

Next Steps for Effective Inclusion

So, how do we achieve effective inclusion? I highlighted best practices drawn from three regions:

Community Advisory Councils in Uganda: Local governments convened refugee representatives and local citizens to discuss educational needs, providing recommendations that were actionable. Collaboration on participatory needs assessments driven by refugee-led organizations, supported by UNICEF and Save the Children in multiple contexts in the East African region.

Parent-Teacher Associations (PTAs) in Turkey, these associations actively involve refugee parents in school policy decisions, ensuring that their voices are heard in pivotal discussions about their children’s education. In Eastern Europe, training teachers to be trauma-informed enhanced the inclusivity of educational spaces for Ukrainian refugee children.

Refugee Advisory Boards in Canada: These boards play a pivotal role in supporting governmental integration strategies, not just in education but also in health and employment sectors, bringing innovative solutions to the forefront that support more effective refugee resettlement.

The Path Forward

As the Wilton Park meeting concluded, my thoughts turned to the path ahead. Yes, change takes time, but I encouraged attendees to reflect on their roles: “What specific action will you take to ensure that the voices of refugee parents and children actively influence educational policy decisions in your country?”

I urged governments to follow successful host nations’ lead and establish Refugee Advisory Boards composed of experts in diverse educational fields—early learning, primary, secondary, and special education. Furthermore, I suggested that funders earmark financial resources in their grants to governments to support these critical advisory boards, thus maximizing the available infrastructure for higher and more sustainable impact.

A Call to Action

I concluded my speech by stressing that “it takes a whole ecosystem to raise a child,”. Yes change needs time, resources, but it mostly needs courageous leadership. A leadership that I observed among the leaders at Wilton Park. I left inspired by ministers, donors, and academics eager to integrate refugees into national education systems and promote early learning. It is essential to move beyond rhetoric and implement actionable policies that address the needs of refugees and their host communities, ensuring their voices are included in decision-making. By valuing refugee contributions, we can strive for a future where every child has access to quality education, and together, we can unlock the solutions needed; it’s time for the world to listen. 

This blog was written by Nour Jarrouj.

Further reading:
Case for prioritising Early Childhood in Development
How does early learning enhance and improve education and long term prosperity.