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11. Views of Education Outside the Formal System among Syrian Refugees in Jordan

Publication Date:
09-2017
Content Type:
Special Report
Institution:
Arab Barometer
Abstract:
The Arab Barometer fourth wave survey in Jordan conducted interviews with 300 Syrian refugees living amongst the general population in Jordan. These data offer insight into the 1 degree to which Syrians are making use of informal education as a means to address educational challenges for their children who may have missed years of education because of the war in Syria, or who may not have been eligible for participation in the formal system in Jordan. Understanding the conditions facing this community can help develop policy solutions to improve the educational outcomes for this vulnerable community. Nevertheless, the relatively small number of interviews means that the results should be interpreted with some caution. Although the sample is a random selection of Syrian refugees, the statistical power is less than among the sample of Jordanian citizens (1200 respondents). Despite this constraint, the results of the survey reveal surprisingly similar views of the educational system for both Jordanian citizens and Syrian refugees in Jordan, suggesting that similar types of educational programs outside the formal system might benefit of both communities.
Topic:
Demographics, Education, Refugee Issues, Public Opinion, Higher Education, and Academia
Political Geography:
Middle East, North Africa, Syria, and Jordan

12. Refugees in Jordan and Lebanon: Life on the Margins

Publication Date:
08-2017
Content Type:
Special Report
Institution:
Arab Barometer
Abstract:
The outbreak of civil war in Syria led to a mass exodus of refugees to neighboring countries and beyond. Many of these refugees fled to Jordan and Lebanon where they face a myriad of challenges, including of how to provide services for such a vast population increase. Overall, while Jordan has taken a number of steps to address some of the key challenges faced by refugees,1 Lebanon has taken fewer steps. Perhaps this is due to Lebanon’s unique history and fears that a large influx of refugees could change the country’s fragile sectarian balance and even lead to a renewed civil conflict.2 Against this background, the fourth wave of the Arab Barometer reveals that refugees in Jordan and Lebanon show different feelings about the degree to which they feel secure in their host country and how they the degree to which available services are meeting their needs. Overall, the findings reveal significant differences in the degree to which Syrian refugees feel safe and secure in the two countries. For example, while a majority of refugees in Jordan (59 percent) are not very worried or not worried at all about being harassed or threatened in street, only 25 percent of refugees in Lebanon say the same. This result shows similarities with citizens of their host countries: while 58 percent of Jordanians are not very worried or not worried at all, only three-in-ten (29 percent) of Lebanese have such concerns. However, Lebanese tend to see Syrian refugees as a greater challenge to their country than Jordanians: 44 percent of Lebanese as opposed to 35 percent of Jordanian cite Syrian refugees as one of the two most important challenges that their countries face today. Perceptions of Syrian refugees toward the quality of public services also diverge to a great extent. Although the vast majority in Jordan are satisfied or very satisfied with healthcare system (86 percent) and the education system (81 percent), only 53 percent of refugees in Lebanon say the same about the educational system, and just 28 percent in Lebanon are satisfied or very satisfied with healthcare system. Economic conditions are even more challenging for refugees in both countries. Most face with difficulties in meeting their household expenses. However, Syrian refugees in Jordan are more likely to show greater optimism toward economic conditions than those living in Lebanon. Notably, support for democracy remains strong among the refugee population in both countries, with 79 percent in Jordan and 85 percent in Lebanon agreeing or strongly agreeing democracy is better than other forms of government. At the same time, refugee communities in both countries define democracy based primarily on socioeconomic terms instead of political outcomes. Moreover, most believe that political reform should be instituted gradually instead of once (85 percent in Jordan and 80 percent in Lebanon).
Topic:
Civil War, Refugee Issues, Refugees, Refugee Crisis, Syrian War, and Proxy War
Political Geography:
Middle East, North Africa, Lebanon, Syria, and Jordan

13. Syrian refugees in Turkey: a burden or benefit?

Author:
M. Murat Erdoğan
Publication Date:
01-2016
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
Geneva Centre for Security Sector Governance (DCAF)
Abstract:
This second paper of the DCAF-STRATIM paper series by M. Murat Erdogan analyses the situation of Syrian refugees in Turkey, and the resulting challenges for both the refugees themselves and for Turkish society. The author argues that although the Turkish government does not officially acknowledge Syrians as refugees, Turkey has maintained an open door policy and provides them with considerable opportunities, rights and services€. The author calls on Turkey to review its approach towards Syrian refugees as the current approach is based on the wrong assumption of it being a temporary phenomenon€. The author expects a high probability that significant numbers of Syrians will permanently remain in Turkey. Since the first wave of Syrian refugees reached Turkey on 28 April 2011, the flow has not halted. With the Syrian civil war in its sixth year, expectations for a peaceful Syria in the short- and medium-term have faded considerably. The author calls for smart strategies, in line with human rights, and supported by Turkish society, for integration and co-existence based on efficient registration, better coordination between relevant agencies, a focus on education and the provision of working permits.
Topic:
Demographics, Human Rights, Refugee Issues, Refugee Crisis, Syrian War, and State
Political Geography:
Geneva, Turkey, Middle East, and Syria

14. Education for Social Change in Lebanon

Author:
Melek El Nimer
Publication Date:
06-2015
Content Type:
Journal Article
Institution:
ARI Movement
Abstract:
Lebanon has been hosting refugees for over half a century. While the Palestinian refugees have been present since 1948, the recently incoming one million Syrian refugees have only exacerbated the already unstable assistance the country provides for refugees. One of the most devastating consequences of this is the lack of proper education and academic opportunities for the youth. The author’s organization, Unite Lebanon Youth Project (ULYP), aims to tackle this issue through providing a holistic education for underserved children, youth, and women across the country. In what follows, the author presents an overview of the situation of the target beneficiaries and how the ULYP helps them meet the challenge of building a better future for themselves, their communities, and Lebanon at large.
Topic:
Education, Refugee Issues, Youth, and Humanitarian Crisis
Political Geography:
Middle East, Palestine, Lebanon, and Syria

15. Right to a Future: Empowering refugees from Syria and host governments to face a long-term crisis

Author:
David Andres-Vinas, Daniel Gorevan, Martin Hartberg, Melissa Phillips, and Alexandra Saieh
Publication Date:
11-2015
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
Oxfam Publishing
Abstract:
With no end to the conflict in Syria in sight, the four million people forced to flee the country have no foreseeable prospect of safe return. And as the impact of the crisis on neighbouring countries grows and aid dries up, the situation for these refugees is becoming increasingly dire. This briefing calls for a new approach by the international community, including Syria's neighbours; one which offers hope, safety and dignity to the millions of refugees, and gives them a chance to contribute to the societies and economies of their hosts.
Topic:
Civil War, Refugee Issues, Refugee Crisis, and Humanitarian Crisis
Political Geography:
Middle East, Syria, and Global Focus

16. Migration Management of Syrians in Turkey in the framework of the EU’s Migration Policy

Author:
Turkish Economic and Social Studies Foundation (TESEV)
Publication Date:
11-2015
Content Type:
Special Report
Institution:
Turkish Economic and Social Studies Foundation (TESEV)
Abstract:
Turkish Economic and Social Studies Foundation – TESEV and Friedrich Naumann Foundation have organized, in collaboration with the Mersin Chamber of Commerce and Industry a conference titled “Migrant Management of Syrians in Turkey in the Framework of the EU Migration Policy” on October 20th, 2015 in Mersin. The opening remarks were made by Burhanettin Kocamaz, the Mayor of the Mersin Metropolitan Mucipality; Şerafettin Aşut, the Chairman of the Mersin Chamber of Commerce and Industry; and Prof. Dr. Aydın Uğur the Chairman of the Executive Board of TESEV. During three panels entitled as Migrant management in Turkey in the framework of the EU migration policy, Management of Syrian migrants in Turkey, and Being a Syrian migrant in Turkey, public authorities, academics, and Syrians have discussed the challenges and policy recommendations to improve Syrians’ lives and migrant management in Turkey.
Topic:
Migration, Refugee Issues, Refugee Crisis, and Syrian War
Political Geography:
Turkey, Middle East, and Syria

17. Jordan’s Refugee Crisis

Author:
Alexandra Francis
Publication Date:
09-2015
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
Carnegie Endowment for International Peace
Abstract:
The Syrian refugee crisis has exacerbated endemic political, economic, and resource challenges in Jordan. As the conflict in Syria enters a protracted state and public discontent and other tensions rise, Jordan has limited its humanitarian response. Yet, the roots of the kingdom’s challenges run deeper than the refugee crisis and if left unaddressed will be harbingers of instability. If Jordan is to confront its national challenges and continue to provide a safe haven for Syrian refugees, the country will depend on increased international support.
Topic:
Humanitarian Aid, Political Economy, War, and Refugee Issues
Political Geography:
Middle East, Syria, and Jordan

18. Lübnan 2014 | Lebanon 2014

Author:
Ayşe Selcan Özdemirci
Publication Date:
12-2014
Content Type:
Special Report
Institution:
Sakarya University (SAU)
Abstract:
2014 yılında Lübnan’ın genelde Ortadoğu bölgesine hâkim olan kargaşanın özelde ise Suriye’nin yarattığı kaosun etkisinde kalmayı sürdürdüğü gözlemlenmiştir. Bu bağlamda ülkede 2014 boyunca kaydedilen gelişmeler büyük ölçüde Suriye’de yaşanan iç savaştan etkilenmiştir. Bu yazıda Lübnan’ın 2014 yılı gelişmeleri; iç siyasette bir krize dönüşen cumhurbaşkanlığı seçimleri, ekonomik problemler, uluslararası ilişkiler ve dış aktörlerin ülkeye etkisi alt başlıkları ile ele alınmıştır. Lübnan 2014 yılını, sayıları ülke nüfusunun yarısına yaklaşan Suriyeli sığınmacılardan kaynaklanan ekonomik problemler, iç siyasetteki istikrarsızlık ve Lübnan ordusu askerlerinin rehin alınmasına kadar varan silahlı eylemler ile artan toplumsal huzursuzluk atmosferinde geçirmiştir. Son tahlilde uluslararası aktörlerin müdahaleleri ile siyaset arenasında yaşanan güç savaşı toplumun tüm katmanlarına yayılan huzursuzluğun ve kutuplaşmanın artmasına sebep olmuştur. | Throughout the 2014, Lebanon faced with various crises in relation to the civil war in Syria. This study is a brief analysis of these problems that the country confronted. It will particularly focus on the presidential election which created a serious domestic crisis among the political actors in the country. In addition to this, the paper will analyze economic problems and the effects of external actors in Lebanon. The study argues that political developments in Lebanon are deeply effected from the Syrian conflict and its actors. The Syrian crisis continued to have a direct impact on Lebanon in 2014, particularly with regards to the issue of Syrian refugees. In addition to these problems, intervention and the power struggle of the international actors in Lebanon’s politics resulted with increasing social unrest and political instability. This situation increased the political polarization in the country.
Topic:
Refugee Issues, Syrian War, and Hezbollah
Political Geography:
Middle East, Lebanon, and Syria

19. The Rising Costs of Turkey's Syrian Quagmire

Publication Date:
04-2014
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
International Crisis Group
Abstract:
The Syrian crisis crashed onto neighbouring Turkey's doorstep three years ago and the humanitarian, policy and security costs continue to rise. After at least 720,000 Syrian refugees, over 75 Turkish fatalities and nearly $3 billion in spending, frustration and fatigue are kicking in. Turkey's humanitarian outreach, while morally right and in line with international principles, remains an emergency response. Ankara needs to find a sustainable, long-term arrangement with the international community to care for the Syrians who arrive daily. While spared the worst of the sectarian and military spillover, Turks are reminded of the security risks by deadly car bombs and armed incidents on their territory, especially as northern Syria remains an unpredictable no-man's-land. The conflict was not of its making, but Ankara has in effect become a party. Unable to make a real difference by itself, it should focus on protecting its border and citizens, invigorate recent efforts to move back from the ruling party's Sunni Muslim-oriented foreign policy to one of sectarian neutrality and publicly promote a compromise political solution in Syria.
Topic:
Humanitarian Aid and Refugee Issues
Political Geography:
Europe, Turkey, and Middle East

20. Bringing Back the Palestinian Refugee Question

Publication Date:
10-2014
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
International Crisis Group
Abstract:
The Palestinian refugee question, like the refugees themselves, has been politically marginalised and demoted on the diplomatic agenda. Yet, whenever the diplomatic process comes out of its current hiatus, the Palestinian leadership will be able to negotiate and sell a deal only if it wins the support or at least acquiescence of refugees – because if it does not, it will not bring along the rest of the Palestinian population. Refugees currently feel alienated from the Palestinian Authority (PA), which they regard with suspicion; doubt the intentions of Palestinian negotiators, whom they do not believe represent their interests; and, as one of the more impoverished Palestinian groups, resent the class structure that the PA and its economic policies have produced. As a result of their isolation, refugees in the West Bank and Gaza are making demands for services and representation that are reinforcing emerging divisions within Palestinian society and politics. There arguably are ways to address refugee needs, both diplomatic and practical, that are not mutually exclusive with core Israeli interests. This report examines what could be done on the Palestinian side to mitigate the risk that the Palestinian refugee question derails a future negotiation.
Topic:
Conflict Resolution, Refugee Issues, and Peacekeeping
Political Geography:
Middle East, Israel, and Arabia