InZone is a programme of the University of Geneva dedicated to expanding access to higher education in contexts of displacement.
Higher education has the power to transform lives. It contributes to peacebuilding, opens pathways to employment, residency and citizenship, and enables refugees to contribute to their host communities or help rebuild their countries of origin. Yet despite its proven impact, higher education remains out of reach for the vast majority of displaced people worldwide.
Addressing this gap lies at the heart of InZone's mission.
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Make higher education more accessible, equitable and reliable for learners affected by conflict and crisis.
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Strengthen partnerships with local universities to support sustainable higher education systems.
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Expand opportunities for learning by working with UN agencies, European institutions, NGOs and private-sector partners.
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Create learning environments where intellectual and cultural diversity can thrive, contributing to peacebuilding and social cohesion.
InZone brings together universities, displaced communities and humanitarian partners to develop new approaches to higher education.
Our work focuses primarily on refugees and asylum seekers whose educational journeys have been disrupted by conflict and forced displacement. At the same time, we recognise that meaningful learning is rooted in collaboration. We therefore work alongside both displaced and host communities to create inclusive opportunities for learning, leadership and mutual exchange.
OUR HISTORY
InZone began in 2005 as a project of the École de Traduction et d’Interprétation (ETI) at the University of Geneva. Originally focused on translation and interpreting in humanitarian settings, the project quickly attracted the attention of organisations including the ICRC, UNHCR, MSF and UNAMA.
Through this work, InZone developed close ties with humanitarian actors and displaced communities, laying the foundations for its future work in higher education and innovation.