Symposium on Education Pathways: Establishing safe pathways to the Netherlands for refugee students
On 7-8 November 2024, Justice & Peace is hosting a symposium in The Hague, laying the groundwork for education channels for refugees to safely travel to the Netherlands.
International initiatives show that educational institutions, together with civil society, have the potential to play a crucial role in expanding legal migration channels by supporting refugee students to study at their institutions; thereby promoting the right and access to education for refugees.
This symposium brings together these international examples, migration experts, educational institutions, civil society organizations, beneficiaries of education pathways abroad, and more, to exchange better practices, strengthen capacity, and develop a unified agenda on new efforts for legal pathways to the Netherlands in the context of the evolving political landscape.
Date & Time
7 November, 2024, from 12:30 – 18:00 (Followed by networking dinner)
8 November, 2024, from 09:30 – 17:00 (Followed by closing drinks)
Location
As part of COMET, Justice & Peace advocates for the establishment of complementary pathways to the Netherlands for refugees, particularly through education channels. COMET, supported by the European Commission, coordinates and develops new and existing legal migration channels to Europe for people in need of international protection. Within the network, we work together with organizations from Italy, Spain, France, Germany, Belgium, the United Kingdom, and the Netherlands.
Through a community sponsorship approach, educational institutions and other relevant stakeholders – such as municipalities and civil society – collaborate to assist refugee students who otherwise lack the logistical support or financial resources to apply for a student visa. Justice & Peace is coordinating this scheme, bringing together educational institutions and other relevant partners like civil society, national authorities, host communities, and beneficiaries.
Key objectives of the symposium
- Address knowledge gaps. Explore the challenges and opportunities related to education pathways in the Dutch context.
- Leverage insights. Utilize insights from the COMET project and stakeholder expertise to inform effective implementation strategies.
- Develop strategies. Equip Dutch educational institutions, civil society organizations, and other relevant stakeholders with the necessary tools and strategies for integrating refugee students, as well as create comprehensive support structures, including community sponsorship, financial aid, and safety nets for long-term success.
Agenda highlights
- Detailed exploration. In-depth sessions including panel discussions on understanding the international protection landscape, presenting better practices, and formulating actionable steps for the Netherlands.
- Dedicated workshops. Topics aimed at developing and refining actionable strategies include engaging local stakeholders in refugee education, providing insights from international education pathways reports, designing inclusive curricula, support services, and community engagement.
- Expert insights. Contributions from experts and successful programs from countries like Italy, France, Belgium and Canada.
- Networking. Dedicated sessions for building connections and fostering collaborations among key partners on refugee integration, community-based support for newcomers, and education pathways for refugee students.
Note: A more detailed agenda will be shared with invitees as the event date approaches, including a sign-up sheet for specific workshops. Should you have questions or require additional information, or have a contribution to the programme that cannot be missed, please reach out to us via email at migratie@justiceandpeace.nl
Justice & Peace Netherlands is a non-profit organization dedicated to defending and promoting respect for human rights and social justice for everyone. Our work is focused on building and empowering local communities of changemakers to take action in creating more just, sustainable, and welcoming societies.