Side event to the 47th Session of the Human Rights Council: Inclusive Education for Migrants and Refugees

24 June, 2021

Increasing conflicts, political and financial crises have led to insecurity and hardship in many people’s lives, resulting in increasing numbers of migrants and refugees and intensifying challenges in many societies. The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated tensions between migrant, refugee and host communities. Hate speech, stigmatization, incitement to discrimination and xenophobia have increased during the pandemic, building on an existing and generalized culture of mistrust in societies.

The pandemic has largely disrupted access to quality education, particularly for children who are displaced, migrants and refugees. An urgent response is needed to provide these children with the right to education and to make sure they are not left behind. A continuous effort to promote inclusive education in emergency contexts where there is limited access to basic services is critical to ensure access and quality education for all.