(March 12, 2008): More than a place to learn, education can mitigate the effects of
conflict on children and build peace in countries affected by armed conflict, says Save the Children in their latest report, Where Peace Begins. Where peace talks take place, education
must be recognised as key to long-lasting stability.However, of the 37 full peace agreements signed between 1989 and 2005 that are publicly available, 11 make no mention of education
at all. Even in those that do address education, there is great variation in the way it is addressed and the type of education.Save the Children today launches a global debate on how
education can become a fundamental component of peace processes. 37 million children in conflict-affected fragile states do not go to school, amounting to half the world's out-of-school children,
although the population in these countries is only 13% of the worldwide total. The agency calls for progress in conflict-affected fragile states striving to building peace, because it will ensure a
better world for children. "Peace processes provide an important opportunity to improve education systems and help foster peace. When parties in a conflict are engaged in a peace process,
there is a rare focus and opportunity to agree on a shared new education blueprint for the country," says report contributor and peace researcher Kendra Dupuy , the Peace Research Institute in Oslo,
Norway (PRIO).Education is critical to successful peace and reconciliation .During peace negotiations there is a rare opportunity to secure agreement on a shared new education blueprint for
the country. Save the Children is calling for an investment in education in future peace negotiations so that fragile states have a chance at a future. Funding education will enable citizens of all
ages to move beyond ethnic or social divisions. "Educating children is key if Liberia is to maintain peace and build a safe country for all children and protect them from violence,
exploitation and abuse", says Susan Grant, Country Director, Save the Children UK. She added, "For countries affected by conflict like Liberia education is integral to building long term peace and
prosperity. Schools are vital in protecting children and supporting their emotional and social development by giving them comfort, security and opportunity. We need to make this a reality in
Liberia."In the foreword to Save the Children's report, Liberia's president Ellen Johnson Sirleaf says:"I have seen firsthand in Liberia how a good teacher can show a child not just
how words are spelt and numbers add up, but also the possibilities they have in life. All our children have the right to education – but not just any education. We have a stark choice: to teach
children in ways that will continue the conflicts and violence we see around the world, or to give our children a safe, positive environment where they can learn a better way."The damage to
education systems during conflicts is well-documented. Examples in the new report include students, teachers and administrative staff who are often targeted for intimidation, recruitment and
indoctrination during conflict. School premises are often destroyed or occupied by fighters and teachers and curricula may become subject to manipulation. In addition, there is evidence that, if
misused, education may contribute to conflict by encouraging children to join the fight."Save the Children works in many countries embroiled in conflict today and is very familiar with how
conflict has a significant and damaging impact on education." says Dupuy. "We must address education in peace agreements to provide an important incentive to lay down arms, particularly where
educational exclusion is at the root of young people's motivations to fight. But more than just bringing the fighting to an end, education has a vital role to play in building long-term, positive
peace that transforms the roots of conflict". "Primary schools must be free and close to home, and encourage all children in a community to go. Schools must be safe from attack and must be
perceived as places where intellectual curiosity and respect for universal human rights is fostered. Schools must use a non-biased curriculum and relevant educational materials. And finally, the
opinions of children, parents and the community must be taken into consideration. These expectations should be part of every peace agreement.", says Charlotte Petri Gornitzka, Secretary General of the
International Save the Children Alliance. To join the global debate on education and peace go to www.savethechildren.net/rewritethefuture
[ Any views expressed in this article are those of the writer and not of Reuters. ]
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