Presenter: Namratha Somayajula
Mentor: Professor Diane Baxter, Anthropology
Oral Presentation
Major: International Studies
The birth of a new Lost Generation–As it enters its fifth year, the civil war in Syria has caused unimaginable destruction across a dynamic and colorful society, and has reduced it to a landscape of violence and fear. Through
a review of existing literature, a study of relevant provisions of international law, and interviews with experienced individuals in the field, this paper will focus on the educational barriers that refugee children of the Syrian civil war face. The conflict in Syria has resulted in the loss of well over 215,000 lives, an exodus of thousands of refugees every day, the rapid proliferation of viruses and disease, and the shattering of vital infrastructure. An overwhelming number of schools in the country are now either destroyed, or used as shelters for displaced Syrians. In the midst
of the crisis, international funds have flowed into the region to provide for food, shelter, and other basic necessities. However, various barriers have restricted the effective funneling of these funds, and have also not allowed funds to be properly allocated towards educational infrastructure in host communities, a lack of which will severely hinder
the re-empowerment of refugee communities in the future. In further analyzing the conflict and resulting educational circumstances, I will emphasize, in my paper, the need to re-distribute international efforts, and implement systems of accountability, in similar circumstances of armed conflict to prevent the re-birth of yet another Lost Generation.