Reactions to Google Hangout: education in emergency and conflict situations

The Global Faiths Coalition for Education (GFC Education) held a Google Hangout session to discuss the role of education in emergency and conflict situations, as part of the A World at School 500-Day Countdown Campaign.

The hangout brought Coaltion members together to discuss their work and share their insights on the criticalities of working in such contexts. Each organisation presented a unique perspective based upon their experience 国产视频� from a local grassroots NGO working in D.R. Congo, The Association of Christian Mothers for Assistance to the Vulnerable (AMCAV), to larger international organisations, such as Muslim Aid and World Vision International.

Emergencies and conflicts affect half of the world国产视频檚 out-of-school population 国产视频� 29.8 million children are not going to school as a result. The situation is candidly expressed in the google hangout discussion by Kolleen Bouchane, AWAS Director of Policy and Advocacy:

国产视频�In these contexts we have a worrying pattern that attacks on education are going up, conflicts are rising and at the same time education aid is dropping. And nowhere faster than in the humanitarian context国产视频� part of the issue is that it is not understood what a lifesaving intervention education is.国产视频�

Education can provide a sense of normalcy amidst tense and tragic environments. Imtiaz Mohammad from Muslim Aid picks up on this:

国产视频�One of the things that the parents and the community will tell you in any emergency is that they want a return to normalcy for their children very quickly 国产视频� they want their children to be back in school国产视频�.

One of the key messages drawn out from the discussion is the importance of looking to the future, beyond current emergency situations. An overlooked aspect of emergencies and conflicts is that they go far beyond an initial stage of disaster. The estimated time of a protracted emergency is an astonishing 17 years 国产视频� an entire education lifetime. Lucy Strickland, from World Vision International, stresses the importance of language and curriculum considerations when thinking about the long-term impacts of refugee children. She says:

国产视频�Last year I was in Tanzania on the border of DRC and the Congolese kids had been learning the Congolese curriculum in French for 17 years and there was no opportunity for these kids to mainstream into the Tanzanian system.国产视频�

A World at School Global Youth Ambassador Beyan Pewee, who lived through the Liberian civil war reacted to the discussion on the hangout by highlighting the importance of faith-based groups to be active during conflicts and emergencies, given their unique position within their communities. 听

国产视频�Faith-based or religious groups are critical people in our society as most conflicts around the world are closely linked to ethnic or religious tensions. They also provide high quality education. They must continue to play a natural role in delivering education and must take into account the best interest of every child国产视频� Beyan says.

Having established a youth-led organisation to promote equal access to quality education during a time of war in Liberia 国产视频� the Youth Coalition for Education in Liberia 国产视频� Beyan also has a message for other young people looking to become more involved.

国产视频�It's rewarding when young people stand up for their fellow friends in emergency areas. Young people can have a large impact on the lives of the children who see them speaking on their behalf. Children facing conflicts and emergencies often gain hope simply by interacting with their peers and taking action alongside them国产视频� he says.

After all, 国产视频�the fight for quality education is the fight for every one!国产视频� 国产视频� Beyan Pewee

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