GRF Pledge for Inclusive Secondary Education

In the face of global challenges, many refugee girls and boys are missing out on secondary school. Today, it’s estimated that fewer than half of refugees are able to access this vital phase of learning – with low enrolment and high dropout rates pointing to a global education crisis.

Current funding levels are nowhere near enough to meet the needs of the millions of refugee adolescents and youth around the world who just want a chance to learn. The international community must do more. 

Together, we can ensure they have the tools they need to rewrite their story!​

Secondary education is transformative, especially for those left furthest behind. It is not only important for the knowledge and skills that it imparts, but is also a protective force, and empowers refugee girls and boys with the tools and confidence to live productive, fulfilling and independent lives. 

It’s time to invest in the futures of refugee adolescents and youth, and ensure that all have access to the safe, inclusive quality education that is their right.

The “Empowering Futures” multistakeholder pledge is led by Education Cannot Wait (ECW), Plan International and Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS). The pledge contributes to the provision of financial, technical and material resources to ensure that refugee, displaced, and host adolescents and youth, in all their diversity, access national and local forms of secondary education – and through mechanisms that support quality, holistic inclusion, retention and protection.

ECW includes refugees and other forcibly displaced children and adolescents in groups it prioritizes in its education investments, in line with its commitment to reach those children left furthest behind. ECW has pledged to make 2023 a turning point at the Global Refugee Forum, championing inclusive secondary education. 

By turning commitments into collective action, the international community can ensure that refugee and displaced youth access secondary education to keep learning and dreaming – and invest to build more equitable, peaceful and sustainable communities, one student at a time!