INEE’s 25th Anniversary: Shaping What’s Next for Education in Emergencies

In November 2025, the Inter-agency Network for Education in Emergencies (INEE), a global network with over 24,000 members that was founded in 2000 by UN agencies, INGOs and governments, will mark its 25th anniversary. This milestone is an opportunity to take stock of the Education in Emergencies (EiE) sector’s current state, including urgent challenges such as rapidly shrinking aid, the need for shifting power dynamics, and growing demands for equity and accountability. It is a moment to reflect on progress, learn from experience, and collectively envision the future of education for those children and youth affected by crises. 

Building on INEE’s legacy—including its role in creating strong knowledge infrastructure, setting standards, and guiding national policy through the INEE Minimum Standards for Education—the anniversary will serve as a platform to chart a forward-looking roadmap and highlight locally-led approaches that will shape the next 25 years of EiE.

The event will take place on 14 November 2025, 10 am – 12 noon, at the Varembé Conference Centre, Geneva, and online. It is co-sponsored by INEE, the Permanent Missions of Colombia and Switzerland to the UN in Geneva, and the EiE Hub. Light refreshments will be served following the event.

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Programme

Opening and Welcome

• Ambassador Dominik Stillhart, Deputy Director General and Head of Humanitarian Aid and SHA Division, Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation
• Dr. Faiza Hassan, Director, Inter-agency Network for Education in Emergencies

High-Level Panel: The State of EiE and What’s Next

• Mr. Raouf Mazou, Assistant High Commissioner for Operations, UNHCR
• Dr. Kawira Gakambi, Deputy Director of Education in Emergencies, Ministry of Education Kenya
• Ms. Margarita Focas Licht, Director, Partnerships, Global Partnership for Education
• Ms. Rachel Kamana, SDG4 Youth & Student Network Representative, founder of Pamoja na Watoto Foundation (PAWA), Democratic Republic of the Congo (online)
• Mr. Dan Toole, interim Director, Education Cannot Wait
• Ms. Ifedinma Nwigwe, Executive Director, Maple Leaf Early Years Foundation (online)

Followed by interventions from the floor, and moderated Q&A.

Collective vision and call to action

Closing remarks

• Dr. Faiza Hassan, Director, Inter-agency Network for Education in Emergencies
• Dr. Julia Seibert, Advisor to the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), INEE Steering Group Co-Chair 

Moderation: Ms. Petra Heusser, Executive Director, Geneva Global Hub for Education in Emergencies

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