On the 16th and 17tth December, Maria Carvalhosa from the Armenian Communities Department, participated in the «Higher Education in Emergencies» conference that took place in Brussels. This conference, at the Université Libre de Bruxelles, was organized by the Global Platform for Syrian Students, an initiative of the former President of Portugal and United Nations High Representative for the Alliance of Civilizations (2007-2013), Mr. Jorge Sampaio,  in partnership with the Council of Europe, The League of Arab State and the Institute of International Education.

The Armenian Communities Department awards scholarship to Syrian students of Armenian origin enabling them to pursue their undergraduate studies in another country. This is in addition to a specific programme for Syrian Armenian young students to attend university in Armenia.

This conference brought together a range of partners — civil society organizations, universities and associations of universities, international organizations, government representatives, aid and cooperation agencies and the private sector, totaling about 110 people from different countries. The urgency of investing in the higher studies of young people from countries in situation of crisis was emphasized. Education, after all, provides the knowledge and skills that strengthens the capacity of young citizens to be agents of social transformation, and is crucial to peaceful coexistence.