Geneva: The Permanent Mission of the State of Qatar to the United Nations Office at Geneva, in cooperation with the Education Above All (EAA) Foundation, organized a side event on Wednesday titled “Can Education Survive Attack? The Resilience of Human Communities,” marking the seventh International Day to Protect Education from Attack.
The event brought together representatives of diplomatic missions, international and regional organizations, and institutions working to protect education and advance humanitarian action, alongside experts and specialists in education and child protection in conflict situations.
In her opening remarks, HE Permanent Representative of the State of Qatar to the United Nations Office at Geneva Dr. Hind Abdulrahman Al Muftah stressed that protecting education from attack is essential, but protection alone is not sufficient.
She emphasized the need to design education systems in ways that enable them to withstand attacks and continue operating during and after crises through effective preparedness, adaptation and recovery mechanisms.
Her Excellency highlighted the importance of developing proactive systems to protect education before crises occur. She called for governments, humanitarian organizations and development partners to invest in early warning systems, alternative learning infrastructure, distance education solutions and emergency preparedness plans.
Dr. Al Muftah also stressed that resilience must go hand in hand with accountability. While recognizing the determination of communities affected by attacks on education, she underscored the need for the international community to strengthen compliance with international humanitarian law, pursue justice for attacks on education and hold perpetrators accountable.
HE Director-General of the United Nations Office at Geneva Tatiana Valovaya delivered a keynote address during the event.
The panel discussion featured Deputy Director of UNICEF’s Office of Emergency Programs in Geneva Hazel De Wet; Head of the Thematic Legal Advisers in the Legal Division of the International Committee of the Red Cross Lindsey Cameron; Program Specialist at the UNESCO International Bureau of Education Lili Ji; and EAA Foundation Representative Moza Al Kamali.
The discussion was moderated by Advocacy Officer at the Global Alliance to Protect Education from Attack Isis Alves.
The event examined the growing scale of attacks against schools, universities, students and education personnel, as well as their consequences for the continuity of education. Participants also discussed measures to strengthen compliance with international humanitarian law, support implementation of international legal frameworks and the Safe Schools Declaration, and promote accountability for serious violations targeting education.
A video presentation was also shown featuring messages from senior officials and international figures who emphasized the importance of strengthening global efforts to protect education from attacks, safeguard schools, students and teachers, and ensure that learning continues, particularly in conflict and crisis situations.
Following the panel discussion, a photo exhibition documenting the impact of attacks on education was opened. The event also featured the “Crosswalk” activation as part of the #UniteToProtect campaign.
The visual installation presents a timeline of attacks on education, aiming to raise awareness of the devastating impact of such attacks and highlight the urgent need to protect educational institutions and ensure the continuity of learning in areas affected by conflict and crisis.
Photos: EAA/UNESCO
