Education for Refugees and Sustainable Green Urban Development

This book presents the results of a Hong Kong study that focused on refugees’ contributions, and potential, to support green urban development. It describes education about sustainability principles in non-formal skills development settings, and the benefits of this learning for refugees. International studies highlight the importance of skills development for disadvantaged groups so they can effectively integrate into accepting societies. However, developing green skills that can help refugees engage in sustainability efforts in new settlements is new and proved successful in our Hong Kong study. Theoretical and practical angles are used to explore the topic and emphasize the importance of a transformative design for skills development programs for disadvantaged groups as an educational response towards challenges of sustainable urban development. The book discusses the interplay between opportunity structures, agency, and the gendered experience and outlines the results of skills training on three levels – personal, community and society. This book applies a novel approach in searching for a positive view on refugees and their role in society. The book also highlights social entrepreneurship and its impact on the personal and community levels, following skills training, in terms of behavioural change and participation in society’s sustainability efforts. Researchers, field workers at NGOs working with refugees, TVET practitioners and policymakers can benefit from this book as it includes recommendations for policy change.