Burkina Faso / The Land of Honest Men at the forefront: Unprecedented commitment to the educational mobility of refugees
At the heart of the 2nd Global Refugee Forum in Geneva, Burkina Faso affirmed its leadership and commitment to improving the living conditions of refugees. Under the guidance of Her Excellency Mrs. Olivia Ragnaghnèwendé ROUAMBA, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Regional Cooperation, and Burkinabè Abroad, a Burkinabè delegation participated in discussions, highlighting the priority given to refugees’ mobility in the field of education.
The forum’s central theme, «Mobility as a Solution: Expanding Third-Country Pathways in Higher Education», catalyzed discussions around crucial educational opportunities for refugees. During the inaugural panel, the Burkinabè delegation shared an innovative and bold approach aimed at facilitating the mobility of refugee students, emphasizing Burkina Faso’s essential role in promoting the dignity and potential of this often vulnerable population.
Burkina Faso has implemented an exemplary policy by issuing the Convention Travel Document (CTD) or Refugee Passport, a key document allowing refugees to study in third countries. Her Excellency the Minister highlighted Burkina Faso’s commitment to making travel documents more accessible and useful for refugees in her statement.
«How will the changes made by Burkina Faso facilitate access to and use of travel documents»? questioned Her Excellency the Minister. She explained that Burkina Faso considers issuing identity documents to refugees as an obligation, with the National Commission for Refugees facilitating the production and issuance of travel documents.
This initiative reflects the Burkinabè government’s commitment to improving the living conditions of refugees by facilitating their mobility, especially for pursuing studies abroad. By expanding educational and professional opportunities for refugees, Burkina Faso demonstrates its leadership in promoting sustainable solutions for displaced individuals, thereby contributing to the creation of a more promising and inclusive
