Since 2015, the International Commonweal Support Organization (ICSO) has remained committed to addressing the educational needs of children in impoverished regions across the globe. By actively providing access to basic education, ICSO has continually shown its dedication to fostering educational equity. To pass on this passion for education, ICSO encourages volunteers to participate in public welfare initiatives and spread love and warmth.
During the summer vacation, driven by their enthusiasm for charity and compassion for refugee communities, a group of ICSO volunteers joined the ranks of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), becoming the latest cohort of volunteers for the “Refugee Education 2030” project. After two months of hard work, the project was successfully concluded on September 18, 2023. Let us look back on this enriching and meaningful journey together.
01 Project Vision
The vision of the “Refugee Education 2030” project is to integrate refugee children and youth into equitable and quality education systems to enhance their adaptability and lay the foundation for their inclusion in a harmonious society. The initiative focuses on creating enabling environments, building partnerships, promoting collaboration, and exploring innovative methods to ensure that all refugees, asylum seekers, returnees, stateless children and youth, and internally displaced persons have access to education. This empowers them to grow, learn, and reach their full potential.
02 Project Workflow
03 Project Review
The project officially kicked off with an orientation session on July 14, where volunteers were introduced to the objectives and tasks of the program. A total of 11 volunteers were divided into three groups to collaborate closely. Throughout the process, they immersed themselves in a rigorous academic atmosphere and challenged their personal capabilities.
After completing the first three tasks, project supervisors conducted phone meetings with each group to summarize progress and provide guidance for the remaining tasks. As the project entered its final phase, volunteers undertook tasks 4 through 6, which tested their abilities in content editing, data organization, and teamwork. Under the leadership of group leaders, the teams actively engaged in discussions, accurately interpreted task requirements, and formulated effective work plans. Each member contributed their strengths, ensuring the successful completion of the project.
04 Research Report Outcomes
In the end, each group completed a comprehensive summary paper, delving deeply into topics related to refugee education. The three groups explored the following themes:
- How to Sustainably Support the Development of Refugee Education
Group I concluded that achieving sustainability in refugee education requires the joint efforts of individuals, businesses, and governments. They proposed a range of practical measures and recommendations aimed at providing holistic support to address the challenges of refugee education. - The Importance of Refugee Children’s Education
Group II emphasized the critical significance of education for refugee children. They advocated for NGOs and government agencies to prioritize refugee education in their agendas and to adopt effective measures to ensure equal access to quality education. They also called on all sectors of society to pay attention to the issue and provide more educational opportunities and resources for refugee children. - Major Challenges Facing Refugee Education and Future Solutions
Group III focused on analyzing the main issues confronting refugee education and offered viable future solutions. Their research touched on the impact of war, psychological challenges, and proposed the integration of core refugee groups into host community schools as an effective way to improve the educational environment and outcomes for refugee children.
05 UNHCR Certification Ceremony
On September 18, a formal project conclusion ceremony was held. Volunteers gave group-based presentations based on their final reports. Each volunteer then shared their personal reflections, discussing their experiences and takeaways from participating in the project.
06 Student Reflections
A student from Shenzhen Middle School shared:
“This project gave me a much deeper understanding of international refugee issues. I am grateful to the teachers and organizers for giving us the opportunity to participate in global affairs. Throughout the process, I improved my English and gained insight into the significance of refugee education. Although the project has ended, I will continue to follow and contribute to the cause of refugee education.”
A student from Shenzhen Foreign Languages School, Huang, stated:
“Thank you to our teachers and teammates for their hard work, and for all the effort we made starting from scratch. Through continuous discussion, revision, and organization, our translation skills greatly improved. I’m grateful to ICSO for giving us this opportunity to grow.”
Another student from Shenzhen Foreign Languages School, Ning, added:
“Thanks to our assistant teachers for their patience, and to our group leader and teammates for their cooperation. The group leader’s clear division of tasks helped us work more efficiently. I learned a great deal from this project, especially in translation and document organization.”
A student from Shenzhen College of International Education, Zhou, remarked:
“Participating in this UNHCR project was incredibly meaningful for me. I was able to make a contribution to international charity. I learned valuable skills such as translation and video production, and I became more aware of global political and economic issues. I hope we can continue to support refugee education together.”
07 Conclusion and Outlook
The excellent performance of ICSO volunteers in the “Refugee Education 2030” project showcased not only their talent and enthusiasm, but also brought fresh energy to the cause of refugee education. Through their participation, the volunteers enhanced their personal abilities while gaining a deep understanding of the importance of refugee education and taking real action to support it.
Looking ahead, we hope more young students will join public welfare activities and use their strength to spread love and warmth. We also hope that the “Refugee Education 2030” project will continue to grow in influence, attracting more volunteers and contributing more to refugee education worldwide.
Finally, we sincerely thank UNHCR for their support and trust, and we extend heartfelt gratitude to all the volunteers for their dedication and generosity. Let us move forward together and make a lasting impact on refugee education, bringing more love and hope to the world.
