Government of Canada announces new funding to support education for displaced children and youth as Canada hosts Together for Learning Summit
(Ottawa) Thanks to a contribution of $13.8 million from the Government of Canada, more than 190,000 refugees and displaced children and youth in South Sudan and Uganda will be supported in getting an education through the Geared for Success project. The five-year project will be implemented by an innovative partnership between Oxfam Canada and War Child Canada and community-based organizations in South Sudan and Uganda.
The Honourable Harjit S. Sajjan, Minister of International Development and Minister responsible for the Pacific Economic Development Agency of Canada, made the announcement at the Canada’s Together for Learning Summit: Engaging Displaced Youth to Transform Education. The project is part of the Government of Canada’s $67.2 million in development assistance funding to support education for children and youth experiencing forced displacement around the world.
Starting in 2022, Geared for Success will work to give community-based organizations led by refugees and Internally Displaced People (IDP), technical and financial support, including training and supporting gender-responsive education programming.
Geared for Success will place particular emphasis on the equitable and inclusive learning outcomes for refugee, IDPs and host communities, particularly adolescent girls and young women aged 15-29, who are not getting the same opportunities for education and making decisions for their own life living in South Sudan and Uganda.
“It is inspiring to be part of this initiative that transforms gender relations by addressing gender-specific barriers that limit girls’ access to education. Oxfam Canada will work closely with local organizations to address harmful norms, practices and stereotypes that prevent girls from staying in school,” said Lauren Ravon, Oxfam Canada’s Executive Director.
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Notes to Editors:
- ‘Together for Learning’ is an international campaign, which promotes quality education and lifelong learning for children and youth that are refugees; forcibly displaced from their home region, due to violence, natural disasters or other external causes; living in host communities where refugees or displaced people are staying.