A high-level gathering ahead of the 34th International Conference of the Red Cross and Red Crescent
On 16 September, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and the Geneva Global Hub for Education in Emergencies (EiE Hub) brought together States representatives, UN agencies, civil society organisations and private foundations to re-emphasise the importance of education and protection of children and youth in emergencies.
This high-level gathering was convened to generate support for the open pledge, “Strengthening the protection of children in and through education,” in the run up to the 34th International Conference of the Red Cross and Red Crescent, which will take place in Geneva, from the 28th to the 31st of October.
“The 34th International Conference of the Red Cross and Red Crescent will be an excellent opportunity to recall the laws that exist that protect schools, to give an opportunity for States and other actors to reaffirm their commitments to these laws, and to bring together the expertise that exists in Geneva,” said Ambassador Jürg Lauber, Permanent Representative of Switzerland to the United Nations and other Organizations in Geneva. “It will help us put the right to education – the need for education – in crises and humanitarian situations on the top of the agenda, where it belongs.”
Education is a powerful investment and a key driver for protecting children and youth, reducing their vulnerability to abuse, exploitation, and violence. It is also key to mental health and psychosocial wellbeing.
“At the IFRC, we strongly believe in the protective and transformative power of education,” said Nena Stoiljkovic, Under Secretary General, International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. “And yet, too often, education is the first part of daily life to stop when crisis strikes, and the last to restart, thereby denying millions of children and young people their right to learn, dream, grow and thrive. This evening, let us recall our shared responsibility to fulfil children and young people’s right to education and protection, even in emergencies.”
Climate change, conflict, food insecurity, forced displacement, violence and the aftermath of COVID-19 continue to disrupt education systems around the world. At present, 224 million school-aged children are affected by crisis, denied access to and in urgent need of quality education. 72 million children are out of school completely.
“This is why the 52 members of the Geneva Global Hub for Education in Emergencies have united in their commitment to step up visibility, political and operational commitment, and funding for education in emergencies,” said Petra Heusser, Executive Director of the EiE Hub. “To date, 120 States have endorsed the Safe Schools Declaration, and the Comprehensive School Safety Framework sees increasing uptake – these are clear examples of the progress we have made together, but we have to do more.”
Among other urgent needs, crisis-affected children, youth and communities prioritise education during and after emergencies, to keep children and youth safe, and to enhance their capacity, development and resilience. Education also provides an entry point for the integrated delivery of essential services to support children and youth affected by emergencies, such as nutrition, health, psychosocial support, water and sanitation, protection, identification and referral of at-risk children and youth to more specialised assistance.
Nevertheless, education in emergencies and child protection continue to be under-prioritised and underfinanced. Much more is to be done to fulfil children’s and youth’s right to education and protection in crises, which includes that they must be able to meaningfully, and in age-appropriate ways, participate in decisions affecting them.
“I want to invite you all to keep education at the centre of all your plans,” said Egide Niyonkuru, Youth speaker. “All the angles you’re trying to cover for the SDGs, everything you’re working on, you will find education at the centre.”
The co-organisers of the event took this opportunity to highlight the value of education and the imperative to protect, prioritise, and finance, education and child protection. This is particularly important in the discussions of the upcoming International Conference and in humanitarian responses globally. With growing needs, the urgency to mobilise greater funding, political and operational commitment, including through the endorsement of the open pledge, has never been more critical.
