13 December 2023 Securing Sustainable Futures: Towards a shared responsibility to uphold the right to education and include refugee children in national education systems

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Colleagues,
Excellencies,
Allies,

When adults flee their countries, they put their life as they know it on hold. Their children, however, often only know life as refugees. And while they are on the move, they still need to learn, explore and grow. To prepare for life. And preparing for life cannot be put on hold.

Refugee children have to go to school. They deserve to go to school. They need access to safe, high-quality, relevant education opportunities. The most efficient way to achieve this is to include all refugee children in national education systems. The examples we have just heard illustrate this.

Integrating refugee children and youth into national education systems allows them to obtain recognized qualifications and gives them professional prospects. It enables them to lay the foundations for a self-determined life. To make a positive contribution to their host communities. Or to build a future in their country of origin.

It is our joint responsibility as an international community to ensure that all children and youth can realize their right to education. No matter whether they are from a refugee background or from host communities. No matter where they are in the world. Whether they live in the Zaatari camp – like the three children from Howeida al-Jakub who I met last month during my visit to Jordan. Whether they come from Venezuela and now live in Colombia. Or whether they live in Germany, where we are currently facing the challenge of how to successfully integrate newcomers into our school systems.

The Global Compact on Refugees calls on us to share responsibility – as host countries, countries of origin and donor countries. Germany is living up to this responsibility by investing a minimum of 300 million euros in high-quality, inclusive education for refugees and host communities between now and 2027. We stand alongside host countries as a strong partner. We stand up for the right to education, across all levels and in all forms – with a particular focus on girls and young women.

We urge you to join us in this pledge. I call on host countries to enable inclusion in their national education systems through reforms. I call on donor countries and multilateral partners to align their funding and programmes with the inclusive approach set out in the pledge, and to strengthen education in partner countries through long-term financial commitments.

Today, we have the opportunity – and the responsibility – to enable better education for millions of refugee children and youth. This includes listening to children and young people, and involving them effectively in our decisions.

Which is why I want to share this window and hand over to Haram Dar. He is a member of my ministry’s Youth Advisory Council, and knows first-hand how access to education can change someone’s life.