Start the Journey
Welcome to the Article 26 Backpack™ — The Universal Human Rights Tool for Academic Mobility
The Article 26 Backpack™ empowers young people to plan and structure their higher education, training and career pathways. With the Backpack, they can tell their stories of achievement, accomplishments and ambition.
At its core, it provides them with a way to safely store and share with universities, scholarship agencies, and even employers their educational background, employment history, professional achievements and goals. The Backpack builds pathways of connection and inclusion for all, especially refugee and at-risk young people.
Learn more about the Backpack!
Who should use the Backpack?
At the moment, the Backpack is for people 18 and over, with a high school diploma or baccalaureate, whose education has been affected by war, conflict or economic conditions. Someday, the Backpack will be available to all people.
How to get a Backpack?
Backpack users — Backpackers — should have an email address and access to the internet. Backpackers sign-up for Backpacks during events held at local universities and community centers with the assistance of counselors and guides.
Learn more about the Backpack by reading the web comic "Hope is good. A plan is better: The Article 26 Backpack".
Please do not upload personal medical information or financial information.
See an example Backpack here!
Collaboration and Preparation is Key: Building the Backpack Partnerships
The Backpack is a powerful tool for empowering academic mobility and requires preparation to take full advantage of its potential. Collaborating non-governmental organizations, colleges, universities and other educational agencies have a primary role to play in supporting the Backpack idea and securing the optimal outcome for Backpackers.
Read more about how your organization can help identify and prepare Backpackers.
Credential Evaluation: Adding Value and Pathways for Mobility
Backpackers can request credential evaluation or the reconstruction of academic histories to aid in seeking admission to higher education. Read more about how your organization can help identify and prepare Backpackers.
Support the Article 26 Backpack and the Human Right of Education for All
Learn more about ongoing Backpack initiatives — including the Compass project that will connect Backpackers to new opportunities in academic and career counseling and employment access — and how to help support the Backpack idea and its efforts to protect and promote the human right to education.
Contact Information
Keith David Watenpaugh
Director of Article 26 Backpack™
Professor and Director of Human Rights Studies
College of Letters and Science
(530) 752-0470
kwatenpaugh@ucdavis.edu