We have all witnessed the plight of Syrian refugees as they crowd across European borders, their faces reflecting mixed emotions of hope and despair. By their side and in their arms we see the global citizens of the future who, without our collective and active support, will soon become the lost citizens of the future.
Across North America, our community is responding with a tremendous level of caring and support for all refugees – those from Syria, certainly, and from other countries in the region and elsewhere.
You and your institution may be looking for ways to provide help effectively and swiftly. Two CBIE partner initiatives that are ready to help you provide meaningful support are managed by World University Service of Canada (WUSC) and the Institute of International Education (IIE).
CBIE partner organization WUSC founded the Student Refugee Program (SRP) in 1978 and has sponsored more than 1500 refugee students for enrolment in Canadian universities and colleges. Today WUSC is calling on Canadian educational institutions to pledge their support to Syrian refugee students through this program. To learn more, visit www.wusc.ca or contact Michelle Manks: mmanks@wusc.ca, 1-800-267-8699, Ext. 3705.
One of CBIE’s sister associations in the United States, IIE established the Scholar Rescue Fund (SRF) in 2002. The SRF provides fellowships for established scholars whose lives and work are threatened in their home countries; host institutions provide professional and personal support including matching financial support, workspace and contacts with professional colleagues. It is actively seeking new host partner institutions in Canada to do more. To learn more, visit www.scholarrescuefund.org or contact James King: jking@iie.org, 1-212-205-6496.
As well, several CBIE members are active in the Scholars at Risk Network, whose Canada section was launched in 2012. For more information, visit www.scholarsatrisk.org or contact Margaret Coons, Margaret.coons@nyu.edu, 1-212-998-4843.
Opportunities to assist younger students include Save the Children Canada, at this web link: www.savethechildren.ca/syria; and the Syrian Kids Foundation at http://syriankids.ca/
Thanks to all of you who are actively helping vulnerable people regain access to the fundamental right to education and helping to get our future global citizens back on track. And thank you to those who plan to get involved now in this critical work.
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