In honor of World Refugee Day, the State Department announced a new program Monday that will expand educational resources to refugees around the world.
World Refugee Day was inspired by a UN announcement that there are more refugees in the world than ever before.
Coursera for Refugees, as the new program is called, provides fee waivers for more than 1,000 courses, and any non-profit that works with refugees can apply.
In addition to simply providing education, the program is meant to help refugees integrate into their host communities, according to the State Department.
Coursera for Refugees is specifically targeted at communities with significant refugee populations. It will first be implemented at the U.S. Embassy in Beirut, Lebanon, where the classes will focus on the English language.
This new program follows remarks made by President Obama and Secretary of State John Kerry on Monday concerning the refugee crisis.
“The United States is determined to find solutions,” Kerry said. “In the meantime, we will remain committed to providing humanitarian assistance across the globe, while also expanding our own refugee resettlement program — from nearly 70,000 admitted last year to 85,000 from across the world in 2016.”
According to White House spokesman Josh Earnest, the White House goal is to admit “at least 10,000” refugees from Syria this year.
“Protecting and assisting refugees is a part of our history as a nation, and we will continue to alleviate the suffering of refugees abroad, and to welcome them here at home, because doing so reflects our American values and our noblest traditions as a nation, enriches our society, and strengthens our collective security,” Obama said.
Kerry is set to give remarks later Monday at the Interfaith Iftar Reception marking World Refugee Day. The reception will take place at All Dulles Area Muslim Society in Sterling, Va.
