This chapter describes the words of Syrian migrant young people in two different contexts, taking a human rights framework. One human right that we focus on is the right for children to voice their views and concerns and have these acted on. We provide a background section on the Syrian political situation and its impact on Lebanon, to foreground the voices of the young Syrian migrant people. We present two case studies: 1) Representing vulnerable, Syrian migrant children’s insights during a three-day research workshop held in the Beqa’a Valley in May 2019 as they reflect on their schooling within a charitable foundation called Multi-Aid Programmes (MAPs) in Lebanon; and 2) Representing vulnerable, Syrian migrant children’s insights at an English state school in London, UK where life-histories of six individuals have been constructed. In both cases, we explore their testimonies of inclusion and exclusion in their experiences of schooling, noting differences in support from the local and national community. In Lebanon, the children feel bonded to their teachers who are also Syrian migrants, but not connected to local or national Lebanese society. While in London, the children experience some alienation within their schooling where they are singled out as non-English speakers and not always made to feel welcome and yet sometimes see the advantages of being in a new national context.

DOI: 10.4337/9781839106361.00024

ISBN: 9781839106354, 9781839106361