Doha, Qatar/ New York, 10 September 2024 – The Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict, Virginia Gamba, participated in the 5th observance of the International Day to Protect Education from Attack, held on September 9, 2024, in Doha, Qatar. The event, organized by Education Above All (EAA) under the leadership of Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, brought together global leaders, educators, and advocates to address the urgent need to protect schools, students, educators and the fundamental right to learn from the devastating impacts of armed conflict, which disrupt education and threaten the futures of millions of children worldwide.

In her closing remarks, the Special Representative underscored the alarming rise in attacks on schools, as documented in the latest Annual Report of the Secretary-General on Children and Armed Conflict. She emphasized that the 1,650 verified attacks on schools and hospitals in the past year alone represent a broader pattern of violations against children in conflict zones.

“Education, which should be a sanctuary for learning and growth, has tragically become a target in many conflict zones. Protecting education is not just a legal obligation; it is a moral imperative that we must uphold. Our collective actions today will shape the futures of millions of children, she stated.”

She reminded that the right to education is guaranteed by the Convention on the Rights of the Child (and more recently by UN Security Resolution 2601 (2021), and the Safe Schools Declaration) and that education remains fundamental to ensure sustainable peace and development.

Upholding international laws that safeguard education and drawing global attention to the need for stronger measures to prevent attacks on educational institutions is critical Therefore the event concluded with a call to action, urging the international community to intensify efforts and implement concrete measures to safeguard education in conflict zones.

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For additional information, please contact:

Ariane Lignier, Communications Officer, Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict (ariane.lignier@un.org)

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