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Oxford conference examines role of education in conflict

Who:
UNICEF, UNESCO, partners, and leading academics in education and conflict, including:

Cream Wright (UNICEF)
David Johnson (University of Oxford)
Peter Buckland (World Bank)
Colin Brock (University of Oxford, UNESCO)
Christopher Talbot (UNESCO, IIEP)
Peter Nolan (Ulster University, Northern Ireland)

What:
Conference to explore the role of education in avoiding conflict, during conflict and post-conflict situations and to develop a research agenda.

Where:
Exeter College, Oxford University, United Kingdom

When:
11 – 12 April 2006

Why:
In emergencies, the highest priority is normally given to saving lives and ending armed hostilities. But it is now widely accepted that education is an integral part of the humanitarian response in emergencies.

Education plays a critical role in helping to restore normalcy, provide psycho-social care for children and begin the process of reconstruction or peace building.

Education has a role before, during and after emergencies/conflicts:

• Before, because it plays a significant role in unifying divided societies and mitigating conflict and violence. A generation denied access to education runs a higher risk of turning to conflict to resolve its difference.
• During, because it provides a mechanism to maintain normalcy and provide psycho-social care for children.
• After, because continued schooling, or the resumption of schooling, is essential for children and families to regain a sense of stability and normalcy.

Goal:
The conference aims to generate a research agenda for improving the linkages between research, policy and practice in education and emergencies and post-conflict situations.

For further information, please contact:
Kate Donovan, UNICEF Media, + 1-212-326-7452, kdonovan@unicef.org

Gina Dafalia, UNICEF Media, + 44 (0) 20 7405 5592 ginad@unicef.org.uk