UN Goodwill Ambassador

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Published: 2026-09-22T21:20:37.475Z • Permanent link

Millions of refugee children are missing out on their right to education, according to UN Goodwill Ambassador, Zeid Raad Zatari. He highlighted the issue during a recent speech at the UN General Assembly, where he called for increased attention to the plight of refugee children who are denied access to education due to conflict, displacement, and poverty. According to UNICEF, over 2.2 million refugee children are currently out of school, with many more at risk of dropping out. The lack of access to education can have severe long-term consequences, including reduced economic opportunities, increased vulnerability to exploitation, and a perpetuation of the cycle of poverty.

Zeid Raad Zatari's comments come as part of a broader push to improve the lives of refugee children. The UN has launched several initiatives aimed at increasing access to education for refugee children, including the "Back to School" campaign, which aims to enroll 1 million more refugee children in school by the end of 2023. However, despite these efforts, many refugee children continue to be denied access to education due to a range of factors, including lack of resources, conflict, and stigma.

UNICEF estimates that the cost of providing education to refugee children could be as low as $100 million per year, a small fraction of the $10 billion spent on military aid to countries hosting refugees. Despite the low cost, many countries are hesitant to provide education to refugee children due to concerns about resource allocation, cultural differences, and the perceived risk of radicalization.

The issue of refugee children missing out on education has significant real-world implications for companies, research communities, and markets. Many companies, including tech giants and NGOs, are working to improve access to education for refugee children through innovative solutions such as mobile learning platforms, digital literacy programs, and cash transfers. For example, the tech company, Microsoft, has launched a program aimed at providing educational software to refugee children, while the NGO, Save the Children, has launched a campaign to provide cash transfers to families of refugee children to support their education.

The lack of access to education for refugee children also has significant implications for research communities, who are working to better understand the impact of conflict and displacement on education outcomes. Research has shown that conflict and displacement can have devastating effects on education outcomes, with many children dropping out of school and never returning. By understanding the impact of conflict and displacement on education outcomes, researchers can work to develop more effective solutions to improve access to education for refugee children.

The issue of refugee children missing out on education is part of a broader pattern of neglect and inaction in the face of global crises. Despite the significant resources committed to addressing refugee crises, many countries continue to prioritize military aid over humanitarian aid, including education. This approach has been criticized by many as short-sighted and ineffective, as it fails to address the root causes of displacement and conflict. In contrast, countries such as Norway and Sweden have taken a more inclusive approach, providing education to refugee children and investing in programs aimed at promoting social cohesion and integration.