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Refugee

Displaced & Vulnerable Students

The displacement of students, even temporarily, can have a chilling effect on the lives of those impacted. It can also alter the path toward degree completion. Effective and timely assistance for campus communities in addressing the damage done can make a difference in how quickly the challenges for students can be overcome.

Article 26 Backpack

Lead by Global Affairs at UC Davis and in collaboration with the Issam Fares Institute for Public Policy and International Affairs at the American University of Beirut, the A26BP is named for the article in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights that establishes the right to education. This cloud-based “ecosystem” aims to help refugees and other vulnerable young people reclaim their education.

AACRAO's commitment to the A26 Backpack motivated the association to bring the international education community together in order to develop a framework for the admission of these students to U.S. institutions. 

Education in Crisis

Covid-19 dealt a massive disruption to education. We watched as these disruptions compounded in international education by the crises in Afghanistan, Lebanon, Haiti, and others.

  • WEBINARS
  • REPORTS & PRESENTATIONS
  • DOCUMENTS
  • IN THE NEWS

Inclusive Admissions Policies for Displaced and Vulnerable Students

This 2019 report explores the barriers preventing the admission of displaced and vulnerable students to U.S. institutions and provides guidance for those seeking best practices. Read the report.

Fall 2017 Symposium

AACRAO discusses best practices in educational records and supporting access to higher education of vulnerable persons and an introduction to A26BP. Read the report.

Inclusion and Access to Higher Education for Displaced and Vulnerable Persons 

Institute of International Education and AACRAO share innovative solutions for student and university initiatives. View the presentation. 

March 25, 2019
AACRAO launches pledge to protect education for all. Read more.

November 5, 2018
AACRAO's work on the A26 Backpack highlighted in the Washington Post. Read more.

July 27, 2018
Roughly 120 academics and nonprofit officials, including AACRAO's Annetta Stroud and Julia Funaki, kicked off a new Rutgers-based consortium called the University Alliance for Refugees and At-Risk Migrants. Its goal: to coordinate and scale up the patchwork of university programs assisting displaced people. Read More.

June 12, 2018
UC Davis Launches Digital Tool in Lebanon to Help Syrian Refugees Reclaim Right to Education. Read More.

May 15, 2018
Annetta Stroud, AACRAO's Associate Director for Training and Program Development, on The Article 26 Backpack™ : A Unique Human Rights Tool to Support Access to Higher Education for TAICEP. Read more.

March 26, 2018
Washington, DC Higher Ed Association and Orlando Students Pressure Congress to Protect Vulnerable Students. Read more.

March 7, 2018
AACRAO attends off-the-record session roundtable discussion sponsored by IIE and the Penn Biden Center for Diplomacy & Global Engagement to discuss innovative initiatives highlighting the A26BP™.

February 18-21, 2018
AACRAO presents at the annual AIEA conference in DC on a panel session with UNITAR and Rutgers titled: Universities' Role in Assisting and Empowering Refugees and At-Risk Migrants.

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Aligning Priorities: Global Convention Session on the Recognition of Qualifications
Mar 18, 2024

Developing implementation guidelines, standards for quality assurance, and principles for recognizing refugee qualifications.

Illustration of a displaced family of refugees fleeing conflict.

Supporting Displaced Students
Nov 28, 2022

See how one institution supports displaced & vulnerable students on their campus and access resources to help your institution get started.

Chalkboard drawing of inviduals changing the trajectory of a crisis situation.

Education in Crisis - Next Steps and Resources
Apr 18, 2022

Understanding and responding to global events.

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A Leaking Pipeline
Apr 18, 2022

Explore insights into vulnerable students and possible solutions.

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Education in Crisis - Ukraine & Venezuela
Mar 7, 2022

Upcoming webinar explores the situation for students in Ukraine and Venezuela.

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The Refugee Educational Advancement Laboratory (REAL): A New Initiative at the George Washington University
Nov 15, 2021

George Washington University discusses the devlopment of the Refugee Educational Advancement Laboratory (REAL).

person wearing a red sweatshirt grabs their water bottle from their green backpack while walking on a wooded trail

Help Refugees and Asylum Seekers Continue Their Education
Nov 1, 2021

An in-depth look at the Article 26 Backpag, how to use it, and examples.

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Upcoming Coffee Break: Education in Crisis
Sep 7, 2021

Learn what you can do to support international education and students in crisis.

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Spread the Word for Afghanistan: Using the Article 26 Backpack and Supporting the AUAF
Aug 23, 2021

Article 26 Backpack more important than ever in light of recent events taking place in Afghanistan.

"The Power of (A), Stronger by Association, Celebrating 10 Years"

AACRAO pledge recognized with "Power of A" Award
Jul 29, 2019

ASAE honored AACRAO's work "above and beyond their everyday mission to undertake initiatives that benefit America and the world."

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Taking a pledge for education
Apr 2, 2019

Help vulnerable and displaced students now.

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IIE Summit: A centennial celebration and a call to action
Mar 4, 2019

AACRAO traveled to New York for the event, which encouraged attendees to ask how their institutions can support the basic human right to education.

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What’s next in international higher ed? Possibilities and probabilities for the future

Feb 4, 2019

AACRAO presented at the 2019 AIEA Conference, attended by over 800 SIOs.

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A moral imperative: Why and how universities can support vulnerable and displaced student populations
Oct 1, 2018

Academically defensible strategies for admitting students without normal documentation.

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AACRAO returns to Lebanon to help refugees seeking education
Jul 20, 2018

Identifying, assisting, and admitting vulnerable and displaced students.

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AACRAO supports UC Davis launch of digital tool to help Syrian refugees reclaim right to education
Jun 18, 2018

Facebook live event: Wednesday morning at 7 A.M. EDT.

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Is global education in crisis?
Jun 5, 2018

How institutions can grapple with uncertainty and promise in the global higher education environment.

AACRAO Trending Topics Take Over #AACRAO18
Apr 10, 2018

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AACRAO to join the University Alliance for Refugee and at Risk Migrants
Feb 12, 2018

Extending our work with displaced and vulnerable students.

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AACRAO travels to Lebanon in support of the Article 26 Backpack
Dec 12, 2017

The project addresses document reconstruction and assessment for displaced students.

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Supporting Syrian refugee access to U.S. higher education
Jan 27, 2016

Context, best practices and resources.