ISOW’s Pledge for the Global Refugee Forum 2023
ISOW’s Pledge for the Global Refugee Forum 2023
At ISOW, our mission is to promote active student engagement and learning through the study of the human realities of international conflict today as well as to provide scholarships to students affected by conflict.
Our pledges align with Objectives One, Two and Three of the Global Compact on Refugees as we strive to promote self-reliance and sustainable solutions through further education.
Expansion of ISOW Scholarship to Afghan and Rohingya Women
Pledge: Over the next four years, ISOW commits to providing two scholarships to female Afghan students per year and two scholarships to Rohingya students per year to study at Wilfrid Laurier University. By 2027, ISOW would have provided eight scholarships each, coming to a total of 16.
Description: ISOW pledges to offer scholarships to Afghan women, which allows them to pursue university education despite their restricted human rights under Taliban rule. Additionally, ISOW pledges scholarships to Rohingya students, allowing them to pursue higher education despite the restrictions on their freedom of movement, access to state education and civil service jobs under the military junta. The ISOW scholarship includes a continued support system after the student is resettled through group events and individual relationships through the Scholar Support Team. Studying in Canada also relieves the students from life in a conflict zone.
As a part of ISOW’s pledge for scholarships for Afghan women and Rohingya people, ISOW commits to:
- Advocating: ISOW pledges to advocate for increased awareness and support for refugee education, emphasizing the unique challenges faced by Rohingya and Afghan women. ISOW is also working on a high school outreach program, which includes hosting a Model UN event once a year.
- Building Partnerships: The pledge also includes building current and future partnerships to extend the scholarship. ISOW will work alongside UNHCR, the Canadian Government, Women Leaders of Tomorrow, Canadian Women for Women in Afghanistan, Islamic Relief Canada, Open Society University Network and Duolingo Access Program to provide said scholarship to Afghan women and Rohingya refugees.
- Supporting Refugee Youth: ISOW’s pledge includes providing academic excellence through personal academic advising, equipping students to lead, cultivating genuine community and fostering intercultural diversity. This commitment is reinforced by a unique youth led peer support model, that harnesses the commitment of student volunteers to provide continuous academic, financial, and psychosocial support for the duration of their degrees.
Expansion of the Newcomer Scholarship
Pledge: ISOW pledges to expand the ISOW Newcomer Scholarship to newly resettled refugees and refugee claimants in the Kitchener-Waterloo community by providing two yearly scholarships. By 2027, ISOW will be providing 8 Newcomer Scholarships.
Description: ISOW acknowledges the significance of education as a catalyst for the successful integration and empowerment of newcomers to Canada. Committed to fostering a welcoming and inclusive society, we pledge our dedication to providing scholarships for newcomers through the following principles:
- Inclusive Access to Education: ISOW pledges to ensure that government-assisted youth and refugee claimants have equitable access to education in Canada. Our commitment extends to addressing language barriers, cultural differences, and other barriers that may hinder their educational pursuits.
- Recognition of Prior Learning: Acknowledging the skills and experiences that newcomers bring with them, we commit to recognizing and validating their prior learning. This will facilitate a smoother transition into the Canadian education system, enhancing their overall social integration and contribution.
- Community Partnerships: To establish a network of support for newcomers, ISOW pledges to collaborate with non-profit organizations and educational institutions. By leveraging community partnerships, we aim to provide comprehensive assistance and guidance to scholarship recipients throughout their educational journey.
Establishment of a Comprehensive Bridging Program
Pledge: ISOW pledges a dedication to establishing and supporting a comprehensive bridging program to facilitate the seamless transition of newcomer refugees and asylum seekers into higher education in Canada.
Description: ISOW understands the transformative impact of higher education on the lives of refugees and asylum seekers. Inspired by the Connecting & Equipping Refugees with Tertiary Education (CERTE) initiative developed in Malaysia, we are committed to furthering the objectives of CERTE on a global scale. Some principles that will be used for this pledge are as follows:
- Tailored Bridging Program Design: To account for the unique challenges faced by newcomer refugees and asylum seekers in Canada, ISOW commits itself to developing and implementing a tailored bridging program. The program will encompass academic preparedness, language proficiency enhancement, and cultural orientation to ensure a smooth transition into higher education.
- Cultural Integration and Sensitivity: The program will incorporate cultural integration and sensitivity training. By fostering an understanding of Canadian academic culture and societal norms, we aim to create an inclusive environment that respects and celebrates the diverse backgrounds of newcomer refugees and asylum seekers.
- Financial Accessibility: ISOW recognizes the financial barriers that newcomer refugees and asylum seekers may encounter. Our commitment includes efforts to utilize the Newcomer Scholarship provided by ISOW and other financial aid and resources networks to alleviate financial burdens and ensure that higher education remains accessible to all eligible individuals.
International Student Humanitarian Visa
Pledge: ISOW pledges to collaborate with the Canadian Government to establish an International Student Humanitarian Visa to ease the enrolment and acceptance of ISOW scholarship recipients.
Description: ISOW understands the critical role of innovative solutions in addressing the needs of refugees. As such ISOW will work with the Canadian Government on the creation of a humanitarian visa program that facilitates the resettlement of displaced individuals through education.
- Collaboration with the Canadian Government: ISOW commits to actively advocating and working towards engagement with the Canadian government in the establishment of the humanitarian visa for international students. This collaborative effort will involve constructive dialogue, sharing of best practices, and exploring policy frameworks that prioritize education as a means of fostering resilience and self-reliance among displaced individuals.
- Community Engagement and Awareness: ISOW will actively engage with communities, NGO’s and other stakeholders to raise awareness about the importance of a humanitarian visa program that focuses on education as a catalyst for positive change. Through a collective understanding, ISOW aims to garner widespread support for the initiative.
High School Engagement Through Model UN Events
Pledge: Over the next four years, ISOW in partnership with the Balsillie School for International Affairs commits to significant outreach to high schools within the Waterloo Community to educate and advocate for the right to education for all.
Description: Each year, student leaders within ISOW will plan and enact events at various high schools throughout the Waterloo Region. The event will be based on hosting a Model United Nations that discusses global conflict and how it relates to the lack of access to education for many refugees. There will be knowledge and discussion shared to the high school students about this issue. Information shared about the Sustainable Development Goal on education as well as achieving at least 15% of refugees having access to post-secondary institutions by the year 2030. Additionally, solutions, such as the ISOW program, will be posed and discussed.
By hosting Model United Nations events with high schools within the Waterloo Region, ISOW takes its value of education into practice. It will be an opportunity to educate and inspire young thinkers who will be entering post-secondary academic institutions to take part in supporting education for refugees. This outreach and education are important for helping youth to be aware of, and understand, a complex issue that may not otherwise be discussed in their academic environments. Further, it will aid in removing any biases or stigma related to assisting refugees in our society today.
ISOW believes that youth are our future leaders. There will be a greater awareness and knowledge amongst youth regarding the educational needs of refugees and the role of academic institutions in global conflict. We hope that the high school students will feel confident to discuss this topic and ask questions. Ultimately, it will result in high school students feeling equipped to take action within their own communities.
TRSN and ISOW Collaboration on Advocacy
Pledge: Over the next four years, ISOW commits to a collaborative advocacy initiative between ISOW and the Tertiary Refugee Student Network (TRSN).
Description: The goal of this pledge is to champion the cause of tertiary education for refugees and amplify the impact of TRSN by supporting the expansion of its chapters in North America. ISOW will share resources, knowledge, and best practices to empower TRSN to establish and sustain local chapters that effectively address the needs of refugee students within their communities. By leveraging each other’s strengths, we aim to create a network that fosters mutual support, enabling both organizations to make a greater impact on the lives of refugee students.



