Education is a fundamental human right, enshrined in the 1989 Convention on the Rights of the Child, and the 1951 Refugee Convention. To deny it is to deny a child the chance to grow, to be safe, and to belong. Education is a lifeline. Yet, this right remains out of reach for many refugee children with 49% being out of school. During humanitarian crisis education is sidelined. Between 2010 and 2017 less than 3% of humanitarian funds were allocated to education. Even though education is at the core of the realization of so many other human rights. To claim, enjoy and protect your rights – whether they be social, economic, cultural, political or civil – education is a fundamental tool. School plays a key role in every aspect of a child’s development. Going beyond cognitive skills like reading and numeracy, it also nurtures social and emotional growth. The classroom offers structure, routine, and safety. It is where children learn to cooperate, to build relationships, and build self-confidence. School also introduces children to sport. More than a simple form of recreation, physical education provides children with the opportunity to connect, to practice teamwork, and to experience the joy of shared achievement. Sport fosters resilience and self-worth.

In recent years, the global displacement crisis has reached unprecedented levels. Conflicts, persecution, climate change, and economic instability have forced millions of people to flee their homes to seek safety and dignity elsewhere. Whilst legal frameworks and humanitarian responses focus on shelter, food, and documentation. One crucial aspect is under-prioritized: the psychological and emotional impact of forced displacement.

A new report from Glocal Roots highlights the human cost of EU migration policies, shedding light on the dangerous journeys, systemic abuses, and dire conditions endured by people on the move on the Greek island of Kos.

Illegal pushbacks from Kos have allegedly not stopped happening. According to community testimonies, these practices have become a common experience for asylum seekers attempting to reach the Greek Islands. Citing violence, humiliation, and trauma, many of our community members recount the suffering they faced while merely searching for safety.

Community spaces are important for numerous reasons - they provide a sense of belonging, social support, physical health, diversity and inclusion and a recreational space to play, meet and socialise with others. So what makes the community spaces in Glocal Roots so special?

While welcoming in thousands of tourists every year, Kos presents its displaced arrivals with a very different, hidden reality. A large number of individuals are forced into homelessness while trying to start their new life in Greece, with devastating consequences.