International Day to Protect Education from Attack – 9 September

On May 28, 2020, the UN General Assembly adopted Resolution 74/275, establishing September 9 as the International Day to Protect Education from Attack. Recognizing the importance of raising awareness of the dire need to preserve education and protect it from attack, the Resolution designates UNESCO and UNICEF to serve as co-facilitators for the yearly observance of this Day and calls upon stakeholders to keep this issue at the top of the international agenda and duly act to alleviate the plight of students affected by armed conflicts.

The observance of this International Day serves as an annual platform to amplify advocacy and galvanize action for the protection of education and sustainable peace for all.

In countries grappling with armed conflicts,

attacks on education including the military use of schools and other educational institutions remain a constant feature that deprives students of their right to access quality education and teachers of the ability to deliver learning adequately.

chools, universities and educational dwellings should always be safe havens to foster peace and development. Equally important is the safety and well-being of students, teachers and other educational personnel. In compliance with the principle of distinction of International Humanitarian Law, their civilian nature should be recognized, protected and never targeted.

Armed conflicts present many devastating barriers to learning, impacting access to quality, equitable, inclusive and safe education. Today’s nature of protracted conflicts negatively affects the future of entire generations of learners, particularly that of children and other vulnerable populations, with lasting consequences that deny them lifelong learning opportunities, economic prosperity, development and peace. The right to education must be respected, upheld and enjoyed by everyone, especially in contexts of armed conflict and insecurity.