Co-convenors: Tejendra Pherali and Susan Nicolai
This theme will engage with a broad range of complexities relating to the provision of education in times of violent conflict, natural disasters and mass displacement. Contributions will examine interactions between educational inequalities, violent conflict, extremism and education’s role in supporting peace, social cohesion and disaster risk reduction. There are urgent needs to strengthen systems through improved capacities, sustainable funding mechanisms and new policy initiatives in order to address the increased educational demand in contexts of mass displacement. While data on access to learning in contexts of protracted crises have become more extensive and reliable, there remains little evidence about the quality and outcomes of education and training. There are also concerns relating to some systems that are negligent or even hostile to minorities, refugees and the political ‘other’.
In this theme, we welcome theoretical or conceptual ‘think-pieces’ as well as empirical research and lessons from practice. Proposals may address some of the following questions and topics:
- How can systems prepare for and meet the immediate education needs of the population during an emergency and recover from crisis?
- What is the relationship between education and peace? How can education systems further promote critical political citizenship and tackle violent extremism?
- How might systems differently respond and maintain flexibility to adapt to different types of crises?
- How can coherence between humanitarian, development and peace and security actors be strengthened to support education systems?
- How can systems better support education and training for refugees, IDPs and other groups affected by crises?
For any questions on this theme, please contact Tejendra Pherali