On 13 October 2026, the Share HERCoN closing conference brought students, policymakers, universities and civil society organizations together in Brussels to address a shared challenge: expanding access to higher education for refugees and displaced students.
Under the theme “Building Bridges to Higher Education: Advancing Education Pathways for Refugees,” the event connected discussions on European policy and funding with practical experiences from education pathway programs.
Students’ perspectives were central to that conversation. Among the speakers was Mahshid Saber, an Afghan student supported by Nexus 3.0, who highlighted the need for sustained funding, accessible pathways and meaningful student participation in program design.
The discussions reinforced that university admission is only the beginning. Students also need accommodation, support with living costs, language learning and academic guidance to continue their studies and build a sense of belonging.
Watch the event video below to learn more about the conference and the work to expand education opportunities across Europe.
