Education Above All offers new hope to thousands of young Syrians with no access to education
Al Fakhoora, which has already enabled over 600 young Palestinians in Gaza to benefit from higher education programmes and reconstructed over 37 educational institutions targeted by war, is launching the next wave of its work with the aim of building a new model that can operate globally. In its first phase – which will be explored at a High-level Side Event at the United Nations General Assembly today (Monday 19th September) – it will announce the expansion into Turkey, Jordan, Lebanon and opposition-held areas inside Syria.
The ongoing civil war in Syria has generated the biggest humanitarian crisis since the Second World War. Over 13 million Syrians have fled war and persecution to become refugees in neighbouring countries, including hundreds of thousands of 18-25 year olds. Many young refugees have become separated from their families and find themselves living in refugee camps or dense urban dwellings in the region. These should be the next generation of leaders who can return to their country to support its reconstruction and rebuilding once peace prevails. Yet less than 5% have access to higher education.
Human capital flight, also referred to as the ‘brain drain’, is one of the least explored consequences of poverty, conflict, and violence. But in countries torn apart by war or in communities with a sudden and significant increase in refugee population, the need for economically useful skills is greater than ever.
Who will take on jobs in hospitals, schools, or government agencies from among the thousands of Syrians aged between 18 and 25 who have fled their homes? Who will be the next generation of engineers, doctors and technicians if access to education has been restricted?
Al Fakhoora will work with its partner, SPARK, to provide a comprehensive scholarship and empowerment programme. It is the first of its kind to offer access to higher education to young Syrian refugees. By providing youths with the right educational tools and resources, Al Fakhoora is building civic leadership, delivering psychosocial support and driving economic empowerment.
Ahead of the High-level Side Event, Fahad Al Sulaiti, Chief Executive of Education Above All, said:
“Unless we address the dire lack of access to higher education in areas affected by conflict, we risk leaving behind a ‘lost generation’ of young people with neither the knowledge nor skills to build a future for themselves – or for their country.
“The war in Syria has left hundreds of thousands of young people fearing for their future. How will they build a career, support a family, create a future for themselves and their community if they have no access to education?
“Al Fakhoora has offered hope to hundreds of young people in Gaza – now we want to do the same for thousands of Syrian refugees. Our comprehensive and holistic education programmes deliver globally recognised qualifications, but also the leadership skills, psychosocial support and economic empowerment we need to provide a future for the individuals involved, but also for Syria as we seek to build the next generation of leaders.
“We are delighted at the opportunity to share our experiences at the United Nations today with the hope that we can build more support for our aim of ensuring vulnerable and marginalised young people caught up in conflict can access higher education.”
