RET International Marks 25th Anniversary with a Year of Celebration and Reflection

GENEVA, SWITZERLAND – This year, RET International proudly celebrates its 25th anniversary, marking a quarter-century of empowering refugees, displaced populations, and vulnerable communities worldwide. Founded in 2000, RET remains dedicated to its mission of providing education, protection, and resilience-building programs in fragile contexts, helping refugees – women, youth, and girls – and other vulnerable groups transform their futures.

RET was founded by Sadako Ogata, the trailblazing former UN High Commissioner for Refugees, whose visionary leadership reshaped global humanitarian assistance policies. Mrs. Ogata recognized the urgent need to bridge gaps in education and protection for youth, women, and girls living in fragile and crisis-affected settings. Her life’s work, centered on education as a pathway to empowerment and self-reliance, remains the cornerstone of RET’s mission today. Despite her passing in 2019, her legacy and commitment to humanitarian aid inspire the organization’s work in 2025 and beyond.

When RET was founded in 2000, the world faced a vastly different humanitarian landscape. The turn of the millennium brought the Y2K phenomenon and the rapid rise of digital technologies. Global challenges included the ongoing conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo, the aftermath of Argentina’s financial crisis in Latin America, and Central Asia’s struggles with post-Soviet transitions. The United Nations had just launched its Millennium Development Goals, emphasizing global action on poverty, education, and health. Over the past 25 years, the world has changed dramatically, with advances in technology, worsening climate crises, and the persistence of protracted conflicts and displacement shaping the needs of vulnerable populations. RET has evolved to address these challenges, tailoring its programs to remain impactful and relevant in an ever-changing global landscape.

Since its founding, RET has worked in over 35 countries, impacting millions of lives through education, humanitarian assistance, and transitional aid. Its multisectoral programs have empowered refugees and vulnerable host communities to rebuild their lives, providing them with the tools and knowledge to thrive. By focusing on youth, women, and girls, RET ensures that those most affected by conflict and fragility have the opportunity to become agents of change in their own communities. Stories from beneficiaries have highlighted the transformative impact of RET’s work, while staff members continue to embody the passion and dedication that define RET’s mission.

To commemorate this significant milestone, RET will host a year-long series of activities celebrating its impact and reflecting on its journey. The organization will publish a collection of articles on past and present projects, showcasing RET’s positive influence on communities worldwide. In addition, interviews with RET staff and program participants will provide a personal look into the experiences and successes of those who make RET’s work possible. Public engagement campaigns, both online and in-person, will further connect RET with its supporters and communities.

As RET celebrates its achievements over the past 25 years, it also looks to the future. Women and youth continue to be particularly vulnerable, and the need for education, empowerment, and humanitarian and transitional aid remains urgent. RET calls on supporters to help sustain its mission for the next 25 years by making a donation today. Together, we can continue empowering refugees and vulnerable communities to create a better future.

Donate today and join us in empowering communities worldwide.

For media inquiries, please contact:
Ben Dwork, Global Communications Officer

b.dwork@theret.org