From classrooms to communities: Harnessing girls’ education for lasting peace
Watch the recording and the outcomes from the online event in Archive section.
In the context of the 68th Commission on the Status of Women (CSW), to portray the outcomes of the event From classrooms to communities: Harnessing girls’ education for lasting peace, the powerful article co-authored by Hawa Abdiaziz of the Refugee Education Council (REC) and Vongaishe Changamire of World Vision Canada highlights why girls’ education must be central to peacebuilding and gender equality in crisis settings. Drawing from Hawa’s lived experience as a former refugee and REC member, the piece emphasizes the urgent need for trauma-informed, inclusive education that protects and empowers displaced girls. With one in five children living in or fleeing from conflict and girls facing compounded risks such as early marriage and exploitation, education becomes a lifeline—not only for individual recovery but for collective resilience. The article also spotlights REC-aligned efforts in Mali and the DRC, where innovative programs are combining life skills, psychosocial support and leadership training to transform classrooms into spaces of healing and empowerment. As CSW68 calls for accelerated progress on gender equality, this article underscores a vital truth: we cannot build lasting peace without investing in girls’ education and listening to those directly impacted.
Click here to read full article.
Reflections from Berlin: REC at the Global Disability Summit 2025
By Elisha Byalungwe Inclusion Specialist – Refugee Education Council (REC)
What the Summit Was All About?
The Global Disability Summit (GDS) 2025, co-hosted by Germany, Jordan, and the International Disability Alliance (IDA), brought together over 4,500 participants from more than 100 countries to advance disability-inclusive development and humanitarian action—aligned with the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) and the Sustainable Development Goals.
The summit opened with a Civil Society Forum under the banner “Nothing About Us Without Us.” Topics like inclusive education, climate justice, and gender equality strongly echoed REC’s mission.
The summit concluded with the adoption of the Amman-Berlin Declaration, endorsed by 98 entities. It sets ambitious goals, such as:
- Ensuring 15% of development programs include persons with disabilities by 2028
- Mainstreaming disability inclusion across all sectors
- Promoting OPD and youth leadership
Although Canada hasn’t endorsed the declaration yet, it aligns with Motion M-78—calling for stronger disability inclusion in both domestic and international efforts.
REC’s Engagement
REC had planned to host a focus group with youth with disabilities on education in emergencies (EiE), but it didn’t materialize due to low turnout and limited representation from the Global South. Most youth present were from Europe, with few having EiE experience.
This underscored the need for more inclusive outreach to youth from crisis-affected regions. In response, I shared REC’s survey on inclusive refugee education and encouraged attendees to contribute.
Moving from Berlin to the G7
The commitments made at GDS 2025 shouldn’t stay on paper. As the world looks to the upcoming G7 Summit, REC has an opportunity to:
– Advocate for the representation of youth with disabilities from the Global South
– Push for increased funding for inclusive education in emergencies
– Encourage Canada and other governments to adopt the Amman-Berlin Declaration as a
framework for international commitments
The Global Disability Summit was a powerful reminder of how inclusion must be intentional, funded, and led by those with lived experience. As REC continues its work, we must ensure that refugee learners with disabilities are not just seen—but heard, empowered, and supported.
Berlin gave us the momentum. Let’s carry it forward!
Related articles or posts
What is REC?
Learn more about REC’s mandate and goals. Meet our members and join us on social media.
Online Survey as a part of Youth Consultation 2025 by REC
Call for Input: Lived Experiences of Refugee and Displaced Youth in Education in Emergencies (EiE)
CWS Event
Watch the recording and the outcomes from REC’s latest online event.
REC’s Social Media
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