Education and Conflict

1 Credit · Level: Undergraduate

There is growing recognition that education is a casualty of war with long-term consequences for future “lost” generations and the successful rebuilding of crisis-affected communities. Education is critical to mitigate the risks associated with adversity and help children and youth to overcome challenges and build social cohesion. Conflict is one of the key challenges to the successful achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals of ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education and promoting lifelong learning for all. Education systems and services are significantly impacted in the immediate aftermath of conflict as well as in the longer term. Access to and quality of learning are impaired through the destruction of physical infrastructure, reduced capacity and loss of key resources. Recent regional crises visible throughout the greater Middle East have demonstrated the contextual challenges of education delivery during indefinite displacement of populations. In relation to these themes, this course focusing on Education in Conflict will review the imperative for, and opportunities to protect and sustain education in conflict: including lifesaving and safeguarding aspects, addressing gender impacts of conflict as well as ensuring the knowledge and skills needed to equip children, youth and adults for a sustainable future.