Education for a hopeful future

What we do

We support young people affected by displacement and crisis to access and progress in education…Why do we care about outcomes after forcible removal?

Names of young people

What challenges have they faced?

Our research

• 51 in-depth interviews• 12 case-studies• Soon to be published…

Key findings

Importance of family

• Cultural importance of family networks• Diverse responses of families to returning young

people• Shame of returning empty-handed• Young people viewed as outsiders

Insecurity and Poverty

• Distinction between Kabul and other provinces

• Psychosocial impact of insecurity• Contrast of acute poverty with life in the UK

Armed groups & feuds

• Discrepancies between UK and Afghanistan perspectives

• Forcible recruitment – Southern provinces• Intimidation and threats• Blood feuds

Westernisation

• Perceptions – alignment with ISAF or spying• Perceptions – religion• Perceptions - wealth

Education & employment

• Limited opportunities• Literate/illiterate dichotomy• Dependence on contacts and networks• Stigma of being a ‘mard-e-kar’• Drugs trade

Mental health

• Very limited provision• Forced marriage and abuse• Depression and a lack of hope

Back to our challenges

Our response

• Youth on the Move project • Documenting outcomes• How you can get involved

Thanks for listening! For more info contact Catherine Gladwell at

cgladwell@refugeesupportnetwork.org07727634688