New recommendations for the recognition of qualifications held by refugees

On the 14th of November, 2017, took place in Strasbourg, a special meeting of the Convention Committee on the Recognition of Qualifications concerning Higher Education in the European Region (Lisbon Convention), where new recommendations were presented for the recognition of qualifications held by refugees, displaced persons and persons with the same status as refugees.

These recommendations will serve as benchmarking for the States on implementing the Article VII of the Convention, in which the Parties undertake to simplify the recognition of refugees' qualifications, even if they are not fully documented.

The Council of Europe and UNESCO are working with the Member States to develop effective measures to ensure that refugees are awarded with fair recognition of their qualifications, enabling them to use their qualifications, either for work, or for the pursuit of studies.

The final document of the extraordinary session of the Lisbon Convention Committee can be found here.