Lifelong Learning and Higher Education serving for the inclusion of refugees and students with migratory backgrounds.

In recent years, permanent learning and the enhancement of previously acquired skills have become highly significant priorities within EU society. This significance has received further attention and become strategic as potential integration tool with respect to refugee international students’ access to Higher Education (HE). This is supported by a growing demand expressed by this vulnerable target group to validate and recognise their learning credentials and previously acquired soft skills, regardless from where these were gained. Consequently, universities through their commitment to the third mission enables HEIs to engage and carry out actions addressed to strengthen the right to Lifelong Learning (LLL), meant as a “right of the person.” This paper explores the topic of inequality in access to tertiary education with specific reference to refugee international students, in particular, the acknowledgement and validation of previously acquired learning. The paper addresses these as a challenge to promote flexible actions and paths that might facilitate cultural inclusion in the local context.