The article 26 of Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) starts with “Everyone has the right to education” and the fourth goal of Sustainable Development recognizes that increasing the availability of high-quality education is essential to promoting sustainable development. While a good education improves the quality of life, it can also help equip locals with the tools they need to develop innovative solutions to the world's greatest problems.

However, in 2018, Coursera was banned in Syria due to the Office of Foreign Control (OFAC) sanctions. In 2020, Duolingo was also banned for Syrians inside Syria because of Cesar law sanctions. Syrian students do not have access to the IELTS test in Syria, which is the most important test to prove English skills and which is also a requirement for all scholarships and university admissions around the world.

10 years of a civil war in Syria has left more than 85% of the population living under the poverty line. Yet, those who want to get the IELTS test should go to Lebanon and that means, you need someone in Beirut to pay for your fees within a period of 3 days from the date of booking or face cancellation because there is no electronic payment method in Syria. Secondly, transportation to Lebanon (Round Trip) costs around $200. Thirdly, to enter Lebanon you have to book a hotel room costing $110 and have a cash amount of $2000 and lastly the Covid-19 test certificate (PCR) which costs $100.

Anyone who wants to get the IELTS test must fulfill all these steps. We are aware of the complications due to the Syrian crisis and know that because of these political, military, and logistic complications, the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge English Language Assessment can't operate in Syria at the moment but we are completely sure that they have a way to put an end to this issue. You can cooperate with the United Nations agencies present in Syria to facilitate matters.

However, our question is, why? Just because we are SYRIAN??? And all the governments around the world decided to respect those unfair sanctions and exclude us.

Regarding Duolingo, please do your best with the U.S. government to seek authorization so that you may begin offering the test in Syria. We believe you can do it. We are human beings, not terrorists.

Education is our right please do not deprive us of it.

Education is the best answer for a better future in Syria, though it is the field mostly affected due to sanctions. Please sign this petition, to help us raise our voice, and say “enough is enough!” we need to be a part of the world to rebuild a better future for Syria with our experience and our education.

Give Syrians a chance

#Stop_excluding_Syrians

For further information please contact: marynassr1985@gmail.com