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Many Peace Treaties Do Not Include Education, New Report Finds
Westport, Conn. (April 4, 2008) — Save the Children today is launching a global debate to raise the priority of education in furthering the peace process in conflict-affected countries.
The humanitarian agency is sponsoring events across the world, including a roundtable discussion today in New York City.
The New York event will bring together numerous global organizations involved in building lasting peace, UN Member States, civil society and UN agencies.
The roundtable is part of Save the Children's Rewrite the Future campaign, which advocates for the 37 million children who cannot go to school because of conflict in their countries. The 5-year initiative, launched in 2006, is dedicated to bringing 3 million children living in conflict-affected countries into school and to ensuring that another 5 million children in conflict-affected countries receive a better-quality education. Save the Children is working to make schools safe and to encourage national governments and international institutions to prioritize quality education.
Also as part of Rewrite the Future, Save the Children has released a new report, Where Peace Begins, with the premise that education can mitigate the effects of conflict on children and help build peace in countries affected by armed conflict.
While the report notes that education should be recognized as key to long-lasting stability, it also points out that nearly a third of all recent peace agreements make no mention of education at all. According to the report, of the 37 full peace agreements signed between 1989 and 2005 that are publicly available, 11 omit mention of education. And in the other agreements, there is great variation in the way education is addressed, according to the report.
Save the Children is calling for political leaders, the international community and donors to prioritize education in future peace negotiations so that fragile states have a better chance for a more stable, democratic future. Full funding for inclusive, quality education will enable citizens of all ages to move beyond ethnic or social divisions.
The damage to education systems during conflicts is often severe. Examples in the new report show that students, teachers and administrative staff are often targeted for intimidation, recruitment and indoctrination during conflict. School premises are destroyed or occupied by fighters, and teachers and curricula may become subject to manipulation. In addition, evidence shows that, if misused, education may contribute to conflict by encouraging children to perpetuate hate or continue the fight.
"Education is fundamental to ensuring that a peace process holds and a country can rebuild. Schools that are free, in the community and welcoming to all students are integral to healing wounded societies," says Charles MacCormack, CEO of Save the Children USA.
"Our practical experience on the ground shows that schools must be safe from attack and must be perceived as places where intellectual curiosity and respect for universal human rights is fostered. Education systems must apply a non-biased curriculum and relevant materials. And finally, the opinions of children, parents and the community must be taken into consideration. With these expectations children will thrive, and so will their countries."
According to the report, the various social benefits of education (including hope, greater possibilities for the future, mitigation of the cycle of poverty and improved levels of socioeconomic development) can raise the opportunity cost of participating in armed conflict. In addition, quality education delivered in violence-free, cooperative learning environments teach children critical lessons about non-violent conflict resolution.
"Educating children is key if nations are to maintain peace and to protect children from violence, exploitation and abuse", says David Morley, President and CEO of Save the Children Canada. "In my experience, conflict has a significant and damaging impact on education. However, this can be changed through informed debate and changes in peace agreement priorities."
Save the Children is the leading independent organization creating lasting change for children in need around the world. For more than 80 years, Save the Children has been helping children survive and thrive by improving their health, education and economic opportunities and, in times of acute crisis, mobilizing rapid lifesaving assistance to help children recover from the effects of war, conflict and natural disasters.
Read the report: Where Peace Begins
