Canada is taking an active leadership role in efforts to support children’s right to education in crisis. In recent months, Canada has pledged support for Education in Emergencies and committed $120 million CAD toward to the Global Partnership for Education to the 2015-2018 replenishment period. Education for children in crisis has also figured prominently in discussions relating to the future strategic direction of Canada’s education strategy for development assistance.
Globally, education in emergencies is gaining prominence in discussions and events on the post-2015 development agenda. In the coming months, there will several critical opportunities for Education in Emergencies to be highlighted, including at the Oslo Summit on Education for Development, July, 2015, the UN Summit to adopt the Post-2015 Development Agenda, September, 2015, the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP 21), December, 2015, and at the World Humanitarian Summit 2016.
The Overseas Development Institute (ODI) has drafted a paper on education in emergencies and protracted crises as a background note for the upcoming Oslo Summit on Education for Development. The ODI paper is being drafted in two stages to allow for consultation and input; the initial draft was used basis for online consultation coordinated by the Inter-Agency Network for Education in Emergencies (INEE). A global series of face-to-face consultations have been held as an opportunity to further recommendations to high-level policy makers to ensure strong support and finance for Education in Emergencies.
We held a face-to-face meeting of Canadian-based education actors Friday, June 5th in Toronto to discuss the questions proposed by the INEE as well as Canada’s role in moving forward. The INEE Global Consultation Canada meeting notes.
Our follow-up call to discuss Canada’s role will be Friday, June 19th at 1pm.
Some additional background papers related to our discussions and the upcoming Oslo Education Summit can be found here:
Education in Emergencies 