HED Conversation: Higher education in emergencies

This is the second round of UNESCO’s Higher Education Conversations, now in the leadup to the entry into force of the Global Convention on the Recognition of Qualifications concerning Higher Education. This fourth conversation aims to bring together policy makers and higher education stakeholders to advance the understanding of higher education in emergencies.

Speakers 

• Costanza Farina, Director, UNESCO Regional Bureau for Education in the Arab States (Opening)
• Marika Tsolakis, Senior Researcher, Global Coalition to Protect Education from Attack.
• Giulia Marchesini, Human Capital Senior Programme Manager, Center for Mediterranean Integration.
• Barbara Moser-Mercer, Professor and lead of African Higher Education in Emergencies Network based at the University of Nairobi.
• Yves Umohoza, climate activist and refugee education advocate.
• Dounia Abderrahman, Section for Higher Education, UNESCO (Moderator)

• How do emergencies affect higher education, and what are the specific nature and needs of higher education in emergencies?
• How can the provision of quality higher education be ensured in emergencies?
• What are the potential and limits of distance learning for higher education in emergencies?
• What are the main challenges for providing learning opportunities for students who have to discontinue their studies due to emergencies?
• How to ensure the recognition of the qualifications of students having been forced to interrupt their studies, a their admission to further studies?
• How can higher education institutions and other stakeholders work to support emergency affected higher education institutions and students?