The fifth International Day to Protect Education from Attack (IDPEA) was recently held in Doha, Qatar, with HH Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, Chairperson of the Education Above All Foundation, in attendance. The event brought together global leaders, UN dignitaries, and youth advocates to raise awareness about the increasing number of attacks on educational institutions, which have risen by 20% over the past year. Sheikha Moza emphasized the importance of safeguarding educational spaces and called for a renewed global commitment to protect education from threats and crises.
During the event, leaders gathered to address the urgent need to protect education and ensure that schools are safe spaces for both learners and teachers. The high-level panel titled “Education in Peril: The Human Cost of War” featured discussions on the devastating impact of attacks on education and highlighted the commitment of leaders to take decisive action to protect educational institutions around the world. Yemen Prime Minister HE Dr Ahmad Awad bin Mubarak reaffirmed his commitment to support teachers and protect education despite the destruction of schools in Yemen.
The International Day to Protect Education from Attack was established in 2020 and was adopted by the UN General Assembly following a call for action by Sheikha Moza at the Social Forum of the Human Rights Council in 2019. The day serves as an advocacy platform to bring global attention to the importance of safeguarding education and the devastating consequences of attacks on educational institutions. Governments and international institutions are urged to take concrete actions to ensure that schools remain safe spaces where students and educators are shielded from threats and crises.
The event in Doha highlighted the grave reality of destroyed schools and the failure to protect education, with ongoing reports of attacks on students, schools, and universities worldwide. Leaders emphasized the urgent need to protect education and called for a global commitment to ensuring that educational spaces are safe and secure for all. The event aimed to mobilize support for protecting education and to encourage governments and international organizations to prioritize the safety of schools and promote access to quality education for all.
Sheikha Moza’s call for renewed global commitment to safeguarding educational spaces resonated with participants at the event, who emphasized the critical importance of protecting education from attacks and ensuring that schools are safe environments for learning and development. With the increasing threats to educational institutions worldwide, it is essential for leaders to take decisive action to protect education and support teachers in delivering quality education to students. The International Day to Protect Education from Attack serves as a platform for advocacy and action to protect education and promote access to safe and quality learning environments for all students.
