Europe to extend qualifications ‘passports’ for refugees

ATHENS: A Council of Europe project to help refugees to have their qualifications recognised abroad was extended to include more countries on Wednesday. France, Germany, the Netherlands, Canada and Armenia will participate in the second phase of the three-year project, joining Greece, Norway, Italy and the United Kingdom from the first phase, the project’s chief, Sjur Bergan, announced at a news conference. “When you flee your country, do you think of taking your diploma with you?” Bergan asked. “Many refugees find themselves without documents proving their studies, others do not even have the possibility to speak with their universities because they have closed or for political reasons do not want to send documents to exiles.”