Breaking Through (to the Other Side): Comparative Perspectives on the Skills, Aspirations and Settlement of Young Syrian Refugees

The protracted nature of the Syrian conflict has directed attention to policies designed to empower refugees to integrate socially and economically in host societies. Education and skills development for young people are at the heart of these efforts. However, comparative research on forced displacement and education, in particular, is very limited; on youth it is almost non-existent. This paper explores and deconstructs young refugees’ past learning and training experiences, their acquisition of new skills, and their transition and integration into new learning and training situations. Empirically, original data are analysed from face-to-face interviews with 500 Syrian refugees aged 18-32 years in each of the following three host states: a neighbouring host state (Lebanon), the main entry point to Europe (Greece), and a north European destination state (the UK). Comparisons both across the three countries studied and between sub-groups of forcibly displaced Syrians in the UK (England vs. Scotland), reveal an obvious but crucial point: refugees that are supported better and who are empowered to develop their skills in line with their aspirations, settle better in the host state. Policy recommendations are presented on how to improve the asylum system in light of these findings. For further details, please see www.RefugeePolitics.net