30 days to help Ukraine’s refugee children

Eleven years ago this week, war erupted in Syria. The international community was slow to react - especially when it came to ensuring education was part of the humanitarian response for children.

We cannot make that mistake again and risk another lost generation. That’s why Theirworld has been leading calls for all Ukrainian refugee children to be in school in their host country within 30 days.

Theirworld President Justin van Fleet made a powerful case for immediate action when he appeared on BBC Radio 5 Live. He said every refugee child from Ukraine must be back in school urgently to be able to learn, thrive and have hope for the future. Listen to his comments here (starts at one hour 20 minutes).

We’re also getting the message out to the private sector. The Global Business Coalition for Education, a Theirworld initiative, held a briefing for major businesses on the Ukraine crisis and how they can help to deliver education. Companies attending included HP, Deloitte, Mastercard, Pearson and UPS.

Education is critical for children caught up in humanitarian emergencies. To help them continue learning, obviously. But also because it gives them a sense of normality and a safe space to be with other young people.

In Greece, a Theirworld-supported education project is helping thousands of young refugees from countries such as Syria and Afghanistan at special centres. Iliana, a 12-year-old who attends one in the north of Greece, said: “The centre is like my home. My favourite thing is when I am hugging my teachers. I love doing my homework and learning new things with them.” Read their stories

Iliana with teacher Louisa Rousomani at the Homework and Creative Activity Centre hosted at the Blue Refugee Centre in Thessaloniki, Greece - Photo credit: SolidarityNow

20 MBA scholarships for refugees

Theirworld has teamed up again with Heriot-Watt University’s Edinburgh Business School to offer 20 refugees and disadvantaged Lebanese nationals the chance to study for a two-year Master of Business Administration degree in Lebanon.

It builds on the success of our first MBA scholarships. A group of Syrian and Palestinian refugees, plus Lebanese nationals, began in 2020 and will complete the MBA programme this year. To request a scholarship application pack, please email: ebs.scholarships@hw.ac.uk

Spotlight on education solutions

Theirworld Chair Sarah Brown was interviewed by the Royal Society for Arts about the future of education. In a wide-ranging interview, Sarah shares some of the innovation and practical solutions that have emerged to meet the needs of children caught up in global crises. She said: “We cannot sit back and accept that 260 million children don’t get to go to school.” Read the article

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Thank you,

The Their News team