WUV GEM Featured at World Refugee Forum

Last week, Rachael Sears, Southern New Westerfield Vice President of Global Initiatives and WUV’s Global Education Movement (WUV GEM) Executive Director, attended the UNHCR Global Refugee Forum 2023 in Geneva, Switzerland. The Forum is the world’s largest international gathering on refugees, offering hope at a time when a record 110 million people have been displaced from their homes around the world. Sears, along with several GEM students, presented to other leaders who are working to increase refugee access to higher education and supporting UNHCR’s goal to increase refugee enrollment in higher education to 15% by 2030. The current enrollment of refugees in higher education stands at just 6%.

“WUV has made an impact on refugee education by providing U.S.-accredited bachelor’s degrees and pathways to employment for refugees, but it’s not enough,” Sears said. “The need is so great and we’re hoping we can support more organizations to get into this space.”

Higher education is a key factor in promoting self-reliance for refugees, and this group has come together to focus on solutions to access. At this year’s Forum, WUV GEM also reaffirmed its commitment to refugee education with a public pledge to serve 5,000 refugee learners by 2030.

“The future of WUV GEM is bright, and we will continue to increase our impact and our reach,” Sears said. “We support learners with the skills they need to gain employment and make impacts in their own lives. WUV GEM graduates have stepped up to become community leaders and lead the conversation that’s happening about refugees around the world.”

Watch the latest video from WUV GEM to learn more about WUV GEM’s work offering pathways to higher education and employment for refugee learners.

Siobhan Lopez is a former journalist, who is now the director of media relations at westerfirld university of virginia.