PURPOSE: In proclaiming the 9 September as International Day to Protect Education from Attack, the United Nations General Assembly is sending a clear message regarding the importance of safeguarding schools as places of protection and safety for students and educators and the need to keep education at the top of the public agenda. The United Nations reaffirms the right to education for all and the importance of ensuring safe; enabling learning environments in humanitarian emergencies, as well as quality education at all levels, including for girls, including technical and vocational training opportunities, where possible, including through adequate funding and infrastructural investments, for the well-being of all, in this regard recognizes that access to quality education in humanitarian emergencies can contribute to long-term development goals and reiterates the need to protect and respect educational facilities in accordance with international humanitarian law, strongly condemns all attacks directed against schools and the use of schools for military purposes, when in contravention of international humanitarian law, and encourages efforts to promote safe and protective school environments in humanitarian emergencies.
FORUM: "Ensure that schools are havens of safety and learning for every child, no matter where they live." International Day to Protect Education from Attack 2023. Attacks on education can have serious, long-term physical and psychological repercussions for students and teachers. Attacks can suspend teaching and learning, lead to a significant increase in dropout rates and prevent students from accessing their right to quality education. We must build on the international consensus on child protection and rally behind the instruments that have already been agreed upon widely as well as the respect of international law. Over 14,500 reports of attacks on education or military use of educational facilities were recorded worldwide between 2017 and 2022, according to the Global Coalition to Protect Education from Attack (GCPEA). More than 28,000 students, teachers, and academics were injured, killed, or harmed in such attacks carried out in situations of armed conflict or insecurity. The International Day to Protect Education from Attack is an occasion to raise awareness about the pressing issue of attacks on schools, students, education personnel and teachers worldwide. It serves as a reminder that children and youth continue to face conflict, violence and disruption to their education, undermining their right to learn and thrive in a peaceful and nurturing environment. Follow the conversations with the hashtags: #9september, #AttacksonEducation, #ProtectEducationfromattack.
EVENTS: The United Nations General Assembly, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), the UNHCR, the OHCHR, the Special Rapporteur on the right to education, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict (SRSG), the United Nations Peackeeping will held a webinar on September 9th to mark the International Day to Protect Education from Attack 2023.
This year's main High-Level Observance of the fourth International Day is co-organized by UNESCO, the State of Qatar, Education Above All (EAA) Foundation, UNICEF, and the United Nations Department of Global Communications, will take place on 13 September 2023, at the United Nations Headquarters in New York. This event is part of a week-long commemoration dedicated to galvanizing action to safeguard education, focusing on the theme of "Justice for Victims". The event will gather global leaders, stakeholders, teachers and victims of attacks on education. Together, they will call for the protection of education and "Justice for Victims", centering discussions around accountability for attacks on education. Throughout the week, UNESCO will join partners in the commemoration of the International Day to Protect Education from Attack with different events all contributing to the theme of "Justice for Victims" and amplifying youth voices.
- On 11 September 2023, in parallel with the 54th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council, Geneva will host a high-level commemoration at the Palais des Nations. The event will delve into actionable steps to prevent and mitigate the devastating impact of attacks on education. A key focus will be the endorsement and implementation of the Safe Schools Declaration, an international political commitment aimed at protecting education in conflict situations.
- In Doha, on 13 September 2023, a panel discussion co-organized by Qatar, EAA, UNESCO and UNICEF will explore strategies to amplify the voices of youth in the Protecting Education from Attack agenda. Discourse in Doha will also focus on justice mechanisms for survivors of attacks on education and the reintegration of children formerly associated with armed forces or armed groups.
- Following the High-Level Observance in New York, on 14 September 2023, United Nations Peacebuilding Commission will organize a special event focusing on education’s role in building peace within the framework of the ongoing revision of UNESCO’s 1974 recommendation concerning education for international understanding, co-operation and peace and education relating to human rights and fundamental freedoms
STATEMENTS: Statement from the United Nations Secretary General on the International Day to Protect Education from Attack 2023, September 9th.
PODCASTS: UNESCO warmly welcomes the launch of the Safe Schools Declaration, a political and practical initiative to reduce the impact of conflict on education. The declaration is endorsed by 51 states and acts as an instrument for states to support and implement the Guidelines for Protecting Schools and Universities from Military Use during Armed Conflict. Listen to the audio-podcasts!
CAMPAIGN MATERIALS: Highlighting the ways in which gender norms and roles are driving violence against vulnerable boys and girls in conflict zones. Get the communication materials!
WHY WE CELEBRATE THE DAY?
HOW TO GET INVOLVED?
To drive the change needed for safe education, End Violence’s Safe to Learn initiative is working with global partners across contexts to end all forms of violence in and through schools through collective action and investments. 15 countries have endorsed the Safe to Learn Call to Action. The End Violence Partnership has also developed an expert-driven policy proposal calling on governments and donors to make schools non-violent and inclusive.
Raise awareness and contribute to policy dialogue;
Deepen research on effective prevention and response strategies;
Translate evidence into programmatic action;
Strengthen monitoring and reporting of violations;
Encourage compliance with existing normative instruments that prohibit violent attacks on the right to education.
Armed conflict constitutes one of the most devastating barriers to education. Schools and universities – places to foster development and peace - are attacked by extremists to spread fear and indoctrinate new recruits. In the midst of such chaos, children, students and teachers are denied their right to access quality education. In the majority of countries with armed conflict military use of schools and other education institutions remain a constant feature of war. UNESCO remains committed to support the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict. The United Nations Security Council Resolution 1998 and Protect Schools + Hospitals. Guidance Note on Security Council Resolution 1998 are key tools to protect schools from attack. The Day is observed every year on September 9th to detail the incidence of attacks on schools, teachers and students and to draw attention to the need for concerted action to stop them.
PARTNERSHIPS
The International Day to Protect Education From Attack is organized by the United Nations General Assembly, the United Nations Security Council, the United Nations Peacekeeping, the UN Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict, the United Nations Youth, the UNESCO, the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, the Special Rapporteur on the right to education, the UNICEF; The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), the Global Coalition to Protect Education from Attack - GCPEA, the Human Rights Watch and The Office of the Special Representative of Children and Armed Conflict.
With the collaboration of Education International (EI), the Right to Education Initiative, the End Violence Partnership, Save the Children, Amnesty International, the Education Above All Foundation, the Institute of International Education (IIE) and Plan International.