Costa Rica
UWC has long welcomed refugees into its diverse and engaged communities, offering them a place to learn, grow, and contribute. However, the launch of the UWC Refugee Initiative in 2016 was a direct response to the growing global migration crisis, which has seen the number of forcibly displaced people worldwide increase dramatically. This initiative formalises UWC’s commitment to providing more refugee and displaced students with access to a UWC education, regardless of financial or systemic barriers.
Access is only the beginning. Refugee students bring invaluable perspectives to global conversations about peace, sustainability, and international understanding. Their lived experiences challenge assumptions and deepen the dialogue needed to address the pressing issues of our time. The urgency of this initiative is clear. Since its inception, the number of forcibly displaced people worldwide has nearly doubled, reaching over 120 million in 2024, including 31.6 million refugees. This growing crisis underscores the importance of providing spaces where displaced youth can thrive—not just as learners but as changemakers shaping a better future.
[Metrics, as infographics – – UWC to create this – Please add as below for now]
Number of forcibly displaced people
2016: 65.5 million, including 22.5 million refugees
2024: 120 million including 31.6 million refugees
Refugee population (School-aged)
2024: 14.8 million children and youth. An estimated 50% are out of school.
Enrollment in Secondary Education: 42%
Enrolment in Tertiary Education: 7%
[Impact Metrics, as infographics – UWC to create this – Please add as below for now]
Refugee In initiative since 2016 – present
345 refugee and internally displaced students (IDPs) were admitted into 18 UWC schools and colleges.
Representing 59 nationalities
Selected by National Committees and partner organisations in 46 countries
52% of scholars are girls
Palestine, Syria, Tibet, South Sudan, Afghanistan, Iraq, and Saharawi are the most represented nationalities among our scholars, accounting for approximately 69% of all participants.
Refugee Initiative in 2024
In 2024, 15 UWC campuses hosted 66 refugee and IDP students, representing 28 nationalities from 24 host countries. 62% of these students are girls. The nationalities most represented in 2024 Refugee Admissions were Palestine (7), Afghanistan (5), Sudan (3), Ukraine (2), Venezuela (2), and South Sudan (2).
Impact
Since launching the UWC Refugee Initiative, the movement has made significant strides in providing educational opportunities to those most in need. 345 refugee and internally displaced students (IDPs) have been admitted to 18 UWC schools and colleges, representing 59 nationalities. These students were selected by National Committees and partner organisations in 46 countries, with 52% of the scholars being girls. The most represented nationalities include Palestine, Syria, Tibet, South Sudan, Afghanistan, Iraq, and Saharawi, accounting for 69% of all participants.
UWC seeks support to sustain and expand the Refugee Initiative, enabling more displaced youth to access education that empowers them to rebuild their lives and contribute to their communities.
Your support will:
- Provide scholarships and educational experiences for displaced youth, ensuring their successful integration and academic progress.
- Strengthen partnerships with organisations focused on refugee support, expanding the reach and impact of UWC’s initiatives.
- Develop specialised programmes to address the unique needs of refugee students, fostering their success in academic and personal growth.
- Ensure that refugee students receive comprehensive support services, from additional academic resources to wellbeing counselling, helping them thrive in a welcoming and inclusive environment.
Help UWC to continue offering refugees transformative opportunities and elevating their voices in the conversation on peace and sustainability
I was born and raised in a refugee camp in a remote corner of the great African desert, a place so forgotten and hard to reach. Yet, UWC made the effort to reach out, and now here I am: the first Western Saharan student to attend an Ivy League school.
[Need to check with Bachir if he agrees to be featured on the website] – Please add for now
