our mission and vision

"Post-primary Education should be a promise, not a dream." Sadako Ogata

RET, The Foundation for the Refugee Education Trust, headquartered in Geneva, with offices around the world, was founded in December 2000 by Mrs. Sadako Ogata, then United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.

The RET is an independent, impartial, non-partisan organisation,with no religious or political affiliation.  Although financially independent from UN agencies, we have strategic alliances with UNHCR, UNESCO - IBE, as well as with IOM and welcome other opportunities to deliver our mission with greater strength and magnitude.

Our Mission

At the RET, we are committed to assist communities to meet the educational needs, in the broadest sense, of young people made vulnerable by displacement, violence, armed conflict and disasters.

We have been active on three continents - 14 countries - 41  programmes, of which 11 have been over multiple years. Currently, our regional focus is on Afghanistan/Pakistan, Chad/Sudan/Kenya, Burundi/Tanzania, and Colombia/Ecuador/Panama.  To date, we have been able to help 200,000  direct beneficiaries - learners and educators.  We provide a continuum of formal and non-formal programmes in classical secondary education, livelihoods and vocational training in marketable trades, teacher training, life skills training, addressing gender issues, psycho-social needs, human rights, peace education, conflict prevention/mitigation and solutions to other community development challenges.  Additionally, we provide a bridge to employment and economic development, and to formal tertiary education.