International Day to Protect Education from Attack – September 9th

jroseNo CommentsBlog, Liblime

In an era where education is a fundamental human right and a cornerstone of sustainable development, the world faces a grave challenge: the increasing number of attacks on educational institutions and their students. The United Nations General Assembly established September 9th as the International Day to Protect Education from Attack to address this critical issue, first observed in 2020 [1].

The Genesis of the Day

The resolution to commemorate this day was presented by the State of Qatar and co-sponsored by 62 countries. It was unanimously adopted by the UN General Assembly in May 2020, demonstrating the global community’s commitment to safeguarding education in conflict zones [1].

Understanding the Scope of the Problem

According to the Global Coalition to Protect Education from Attack (GCPEA), more than 11,000 reported attacks on education between 2015 and 2019. These incidents affected over 22,000 students and education personnel in at least 93 countries [2].

The nature of these attacks varies widely, including:

  1. Physical attacks on schools and universities
  2. Military use of educational facilities
  3. Recruitment of child soldiers from schools
  4. Sexual violence at or on the way to educational institutions
  5. Targeted attacks on students and educators

The Impact on Education and Society

The consequences of these attacks extend far beyond the immediate physical damage. They create a climate of fear that discourages students from attending school and teachers from providing instruction. This disruption to education can have long-lasting effects on individuals and communities, perpetuating cycles of poverty and conflict [3].

International Efforts to Protect Education

The international community has taken several steps to address this issue:

  1. Safe Schools Declaration: Launched in 2015, this intergovernmental political commitment aims to protect students, teachers, and educational institutions during armed conflict. As of 2023, 114 countries have endorsed the declaration [4].
  2. UN Security Council Resolution 2601: Adopted in 2021, this resolution condemns attacks on schools and calls for all parties in an armed conflict to safeguard the right to education [5].
  3. Education Cannot Wait Fund: Established in 2016, this fund provides rapid education support in emergencies and protracted crises [6].

The Role of the International Day

The International Day to Protect Education from Attack serves multiple purposes:

  1. Raising awareness about the plight of millions of children living in countries affected by conflict
  2. Mobilizing political will and resources to ensure the protection of education in all contexts
  3. Highlighting the importance of implementing international and regional legal frameworks
  4. Promoting collaboration between governments, international organizations, and civil society to develop comprehensive strategies for protecting education

As we commemorate this important day, we must recognize that protecting education from attack is not just about safeguarding buildings or individuals. It’s about preserving hope, fostering resilience, and ensuring that every child has the opportunity to learn and grow, even in the most challenging circumstances.

 

References

[1] United Nations. (n.d.). International Day to Protect Education from Attack. https://www.un.org/en/observances/protect-education-day

[2] Global Coalition to Protect Education from Attack. (2020). Education Under Attack 2020. https://protectingeducation.org/publication/education-under-attack-2020/

[3] Protecting education from attack. (2024, September 5). UNESCO. https://www.unesco.org/en/protect-education-attack  

[4] Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. (n.d.). The Safe Schools Declaration. https://www.regjeringen.no/en/topics/foreign-affairs/development-cooperation/safeschools_declaration/id2460245/

[5] United Nations Security Council. (2021). Resolution 2601 (2021).https://www.right-to-education.org/sites/right-to-education.org/files/resource-attachments/UN%20Security%20Council_Education%20Under%20Attack_Resolution%202601%282021%29_Oct21_EN.pdf

[6] Education Cannot Wait. (n.d.). About Us. https://www.educationcannotwait.org/about-us