Young people in the Dadaab refugee settlement in northern Kenya will receive interactive lessons from such high-profile figures as Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Malala Yousafzai, as part of an education initiative by the United Nations Refugee Agency and the Vodafone Foundation.
Business leaders including Unilever CEO Paul Polman and The Coca-Cola Company chairman and CEO Muhtar Kent will also deliver ‘Leadership Lessons’ to students between the ages of 13 and 27, including those studying business studies.
“Leadership Lessons are about connecting young people living in some of the toughest environments – often with no access or exposure to life outside of the camps – with inspiring people from around the world”
Speakers will discuss their personal stories and business knowledge through interactive tutorials given via video link as well as answering questions on their areas of expertise.
“Leadership Lessons are about connecting young people living in some of the toughest environments – often with no access or exposure to life outside of the camps – with inspiring people from around the world,” said Vittorio Colao, Vodafone Group chief executive.
“We want to give the students hope and provide inspiration and knowledge by using our technology and expertise to connect them with a variety of world leaders.”
The ‘Leadership Lessons’ initiative is part of the Vodafone Foundation Instant Network Schools programme, which aims to increase access to education for young refugees.
The schools programme works alongside UNHCR’s Education and Innovation units and provides tablet-based teaching in schools in refugee camps.
According to UNHCR, young refugees are displaced from their homes for an average of 17 years, usually with little access or no to access to quality education.
In 2014, the Instant Network Schools programme introduced tablet-based teaching to around 18,000 pupils studying at 13 schools in the Dadaab refugee settlement.
There are currently 18 schools in refugee camps, including 15 in Kenya, two in South Sudan and one in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
The Foundation is extending the programme to support additional schools in refugee camps in these countries as well as in Tanzania over the next two years, and aims to benefit at least 62,000 children and young people by the end of 2016.
The announcement follows the launch of a United Nations campaign to make internet access universal by 2020 – an aim outlined in the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals to end poverty, combat inequality and climate change over the next 15 years.
