Norway and education in emergencies and conflict

Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, friends, good morning! On behalf of Save the Children , the Norwegian Refugee Council and Norad it is my great pleasure to welcome you all to this seminar on education and conflict. We are honored that so many of you have joined us here today at this seminar.

Worldwide there are still 57 million children out of primary school and almost half of these children live in countries affected by conflict. Moreover, we know that many young people lack access to education and that conflict affected countries have some of the largest gender inequalities and lowest literacy levels in the world. 

High-intensity conflicts are taking place in Syria, the Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of Congo and many other crises where children and youth are living in very difficult situations and are lacking access to quality education. Humanitarian assistance makes a real difference to children affected by conflict. One example is UNICEF who along with its partners has ensured that 79 000 children who have fled from the conflict in Syria have been able to continue their education. NRC and Save the Children are both actors that provide education opportunities to children affected by conflict. We will include examples of that in Norads results report 2013, which will be published at the Norad conference on 11. December.

According to the UN Secretary General’s 2013 report on Children and Armed Conflict, attacks on education, including against students, teachers and education facilities, are happening in over 17 countries. Of particular concern is the increase in reports of the use of schools for military purposes.

Worryingly, humanitarian aid to education has continued to decrease, despite an overwhelming humanitarian education needs in ongoing emergencies. The difference is notable – in 2010, humanitarian aid to education amounted to 2.3% percent of global humanitarian funding. In 2012, it was only 1.4%. In 2012, despite being one of the sectors with the lowest funding requests, only 26 % of the education needs were covered, leaving a funding gap of USD $221 million.

At the same time there is evidence that in the midst of conflict education plays an important role in providing a return to a sense of normality. Education helps to restore hope and can contribute to stability. Education can also provide people with important knowledge and skills which can enable them to protect themselves during the crisis, and to manage the transition to peace. Education must be seen as one of the most essential tools for ensuring early recovery. Avoiding a “lost generation” of children without education is an important means of reducing the long-term cost of conflict – on individuals and on society as a whole.

We also know that in societies where enrolment in secondary education especially for male is low there is a higher risk of conflict. Secondary education including technical and vocational training for young people which is relevant and can lead to job opportunities is therefore of great importance.

It is therefore very important to discuss what we have achieved so far and how we can strengthen our support to education in fragile situations.

In this regard, we are pleased to welcome Christine Smith Ellison and Alan Smith from the University of Ulster who will present a study which they have conducted on behalf of Norad. This study has looked at historical trends, concepts and international “best practice” and actors within the field of education in emergencies. In addition, the study has analysed Norway’s support to education in fragile situations. This study will form the basis of the discussions in today’s seminar and we are looking forward to this presentation.

I would like to thank our collaborators Save the Children and NRC for all their input and support in organizing this seminar. And, I would like to thank all of you for coming, and encourage you to raise your voices and join in the dialogue throughout the day.

Finally, I would like to give the floor to today’s facilitator, Eldrid Midttun, who will guide us through today’s programme.  Eldrid is one of the real «founding mothers» of the field of Education in Emergencies. She was one of the key drivers behind the establishment of the Inter-Agency Network for Education in Emergencies (INEE), a network that has had great influence on professionalization and coordination of education response in situation of conflict and emergencies. Through her work in NRC from 1987 until her retirement in 2009, Eldrid has contributed to securing education opportunities for thousands of children and young people affected by conflict and displacement. She has been instrumental in developing this field of education.

Please the floor is yours.