In November 2023, the Asia Displacement Solutions Platform (ADSP) and the Asia Pacific Refugee Rights Network (APRRN), with financial assistance from EU Humanitarian Aid (ECHO), co-hosted an online dialogue session on refugee and stateless children education. The session’s primary aim was to underline the long-term benefits of inclusive education policies for these vulnerable groups, enabling them to be in a position to actively contribute to and engage with society. Moreover, the aim was also to foster a collaborative spirit among regional stakeholders, emphasizing the importance of unified efforts to effectively address the educational challenges faced by refugee and stateless children.

Education is universally acknowledged as a fundamental human right, vital not only for individual development but also for the progress of societies. This right is enshrined in numerous international conventions, including the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, which asserts that every child should have access to education irrespective of their status or background. For refugee and stateless children, education is not just a right but a beacon of hope and a tool for shaping a more stable and promising future. Education plays a transformative role in the lives of refugee learners. It serves as an anchor, providing a sense of normalcy and stability amidst the chaos and uncertainty that often characterise their lives. Through education, children can acquire not only academic knowledge but also essential life skills, which are crucial for their social integration, personality development and future self-reliance.

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