Youth Shaping Sustainable Futures: Through the Transformative Power of Refugee Education

This article is part of the Young Trailblazers series. In this series, we feature youth and students who are transforming education on the ground and driving progress towards Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG4).

By Kate Mallory

From Refugee Youth to Mentors: Vivian and Hasan's Journey of Impact

In Amman, Jordan, two SDG4 Youth & Student Network members, Hasan Almatroud and Vivian Shaima, are making a significant impact on the lives of refugee youth. Their paths began in different countries but converged in a shared mission to support those displaced by conflict. Since Hasan fled his homeland, Syria, in 2013, he has been committed to advocating for refugee rights. He graduated from an internationally-accredited secondary diploma specifically designed for refugees. Today, with seven years of experience in volunteer work for his community, Hasan is working as Learning Facilitator and Programme Coordinator for an organization supporting the very program he graduated from.

Vivian Shaima's journey is similar to Hasan's. As an Iraqi refugee, she moved to Amman in 2018. Vivian was classmates with Hasan. After graduating, she also joined the same organization as Learning Facilitator. Dedicated to advancing refugee education, Vivian now co-leads the SDG4 Youth & Student Network Human Rights Education and Democratic Citizenship Thematic Area, where she contributes valuable insights from her unique journey.

Education programmes for refugees designed with and for youth are essential to provide changes for success in life and work while meeting the specific needs of beneficiaries and their communities. Hasan and Vivian's programme enables young refugees and members of their host communities who are out of school to complete their studies through flexible study, typically over a fifteen-month period. Through a combination of courses, a personal interest project and pathways advising sessions, learners are able to pursue further opportunities for higher education, work and entrepreneurship.

Hasan and Vivian

© Hasan and Vivian

New Horizons: Education to Build Changemakers

After graduating, Hasan and Vivian firsthand experienced the transformative impact of an education programme specifically designed to address the needs of refugees. It is thanks to this experience that Vivian and Hasan decided to launch 'New Horizons' in 2022. Created to offer a safe learning space for refugees to learn, grow, and find safety among a community of like-minded advocates, 'New Horizons' offers training in community-building, project coordination, social media navigation, graphic design, the arts, and promotes cultural exchange. Members of each 'New Horizons' cohort are divided into groups, where they create a project to apply what they have learned hands-on in their communities.

According to UNHCR, there are currently more than 700,000 registered refugees in Jordan. Of those registered, 82% live outside of refugee camps, in urban areas like Amman. Many find themselves living in difficult conditions after escaping violence and insecurity. Vivian and Hasan received more than 1,000 applications from individuals interested in joining the first 'New Horizons' cohort when the programme was first launched, demonstrating the need for such an initiative.

So far, they have trained two cohorts of 25 participants, each coming from different countries and with different backgrounds. They are planning to lead more. 'The implementation of our project really was something I am proud to be a part of. Through that journey, I was able to recognize the influence of our actions and participation as well as how to utilize the resources,' stated one 'New Horizons' graduate.

Hasan and Vivian

© Hasan and Vivian

Youth Taking the Lead

Vivan and Hasan say that they have been accustomed to hearing that 'youth are tomorrow's leaders'. However, they affirm that young people are the leaders of today, making trailblazing changes in quality education. In the context of refugees who identify as young people, these advocates are familiar with the challenges in their communities. They do not wait for others to think of solutions. Rather, youth take the lead, creating innovative solutions with the resources available to them. With the help of Vivian and Hassan's programme, youth - through their actions - cultivate sustainable development, one project at a time. In doing so, these incredible youth start a domino effect of positive change: more and more young people are taking the lead.

Disclaimer: This article series is published with the inputs from the SDG4 Youth & Student Network members. The series provides them with a platform for expression where they present their work as a source of inspiration for others. The ideas and opinions expressed in this article are those of the authors; they are not necessarily those of UNESCO and do not commit the Organization. UNESCO does not endorse any project or organization mentioned in the article.

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