Keep schools safe from attacks and military use, says gathering of 80 countries

Countries around the world have been urged to join the growing number of states who have promised to protect students and teachers who live in conflict zones.

More than 80 nations gathered in Argentina聽to discuss the Safe Schools Declaration – and the number who have signed grew to 63.

国产视频淲e encourage all remaining countries to join this global movement to enable schools and universities to function as safe places for learning everywhere, even in the chaos of war,” said聽Diya Nijhowne, director of the Global Coalition to Protect Education from Attack (骋颁笔贰础听).

The Safe Schools Declaration was launched in 2015 as an international commitment of support for the protection of students, teachers and their schools during armed conflict.

Countries that sign agree to endorse the聽Guidelines for Protecting Schools and Universities from Military Use during Armed Conflict.

During times of violent conflict, schools are targets for attack or may be used for the recruitment of child soldiers.

Against the backdrop of ongoing conflicts in many countries – including聽Syria, Yemen, South Sudan, Afghanistan and Central African Republic – the Second International Safe Schools Conference was held this week in Buenos Aries.

States shared examples of what they are doing to protect education from attacks.

Read more:聽Schools under attack from bombs, threats and military occupation

Belgium announced it was signing the declaration during the conference and Andorra became the 63rd state to endorse it yesterday.

GCPEA said its聽research聽has found that,聽since 2013, armed forces and non-state armed groups have used schools as bases and barracks, detention centres, training grounds聽and for other military purposes in 24 countries.

The organisation聽released a toolkit at the conference聽to聽helped defence ministries聽and armed forces聽to implement聽the safe school聽guidelines.

It includes聽teaching aids and聽guidance anyone聽involved in the planning and聽carrying out聽of military operations.聽

UNESCO Director-General Irina Bokova addressed the聽conference聽by video.

She said:聽国产视频淲e see alarming trends in attacks on schools, universities and the use of schools for military purposes.

国产视频淓ducation provides children and youth with protection, with lifesaving knowledge, with skills and psychosocial support – and hope for the future.国产视频�

Find out if your country has signed the Safe Schools Declaration.