Universities and organizations will be meeting for the first time in Rome on November 1-4 at the Pontifical Gregorian University at a conference titled "Refugees and Migrants in a Globalized World: Responsibility and Answers for Universities." The conference aims to set up a network to increase understanding of the reality and extent of the world crisis involving refugees and migrants.
It also looks into strategies to teach university students about these issues. ''We have already received pledges from at least 15 high-profile organizations that are willing to join this network, thereby ensuring a lengthy duration and effective productivity to the mission of the November conference,'' Jesuit priest and lecturer René Micallef said.
''This conference aims to show higher education in action, working for humanity and not just the educational world,'' added François Mabille, secretary general of the International Federation of Catholic Universities (FIUC), one of the main organizers of the event. Represented at the conference will be institutions such as the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS), both of which are involved in refugee education.
UNHCR spokesperson Melissa Fleming noted in a video for the #EducationMeans campaign on social media that many refugees say that education is the top priority in their lives since it represents the future instead of the nightmare of their past and that it is the best possible investment.
Universities from around the world unite for refugees
Taking part in the conference will be such universities as Oxford, Kinshasa, Ottawa and Sydney, and opening remarks will be made by a high-profile UNHCR representative. ''The conference will be very important for those seeking ways to improve aid in the field of education for refugees. Organizations and universities that have developed projects in places where education seemed an impossible mission will speak at the university during these days about their work,'' Anthony Cernera, head of the "Being the Blessing" foundation, headquartered in the US and part of the organizing committee of the conference. On November 4, the pope will receive conference participants in a private audience where they will share their thoughts on the issues the event centers on.