Protecting Schools and Education for All Children Including in Armed Conflict – The Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict at the Fifth Safe Schools Declaration Conference in Nairobi
The Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict (SRSG CAAC), Ms. Vanessa Frazier, participated in the Fifth Safe Schools Declaration Conference hosted by the Government of Kenya, in partnership with the Governments of Argentina, Norway, Spain and together with GCPEA, Save the Children and Plan International, reaffirming her commitment to protecting education in situations of war.
The conference aimed to strengthen global efforts to safeguard schools from attacks and military use. It served as a critical platform for dialogue, collaboration, and the exchange of best practices to ensure that education remains a beacon of hope even in times of crisis.
“Education is not only a fundamental right; it is a lifeline for children affected by conflict,” said the SRSG CAAC. “This conference reaffirmed the imperative to protect schools and guarantee the continuity of education, even in situations of armed conflict. Most importantly, it provided a critical platform to identify concrete measures to fulfill our obligations under international law and uphold our collective responsibility to safeguard learning environments.”
Beyond the plenary sessions, the SRSG CAAC seized the opportunity to hold high-level bilateral meetings with representatives from Member States, UN agencies, Civil Society Organizations, children and youth, reinforcing partnerships and advancing strategies to prevent and respond to grave violations against children in conflict zones.
A highlight of the event was the display of the #UniteToPtotect to #ProveItMatters art installation created jointly with Education Above All Foundation and Save the Children. Located near the children’s corner and displayed the entirety of the conference, this piece provided a powerful visual reminder of the importance to elevate children’s voices, protect their rights and alert on the impact of conflict on education. The installation created a unique space for engagement with children and youth, amplifying their voices and perspectives on the importance of safe learning environments. Through interactive dialogue and creative expression, young participants shared their hopes for a future where schools remain sanctuaries of peace.
The SRSG CAAC reiterated her call for Member States to endorse and uphold commitments under the Safe Schools Declaration and for all parties to conflict to respect international humanitarian law and protect education.
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For more information
Communications Officer: ariane.lignier@un.org
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