An estimated 36% of out-of-school children worldwide live in areas of conflict. In GPE partner countries alone, 33.5 million children live in conflict-affected or fragile situations.

In times of conflict and crisis, buildings and infrastructure are often destroyed, and the provision of basic services—including education—becomes difficult, fragmented or simply nonexistent. Children are forced out of school, and they are more vulnerable and at risk of violence, forced labor and displacement.

Education has an important role in establishing a sense of normalcy in the midst of conflict and can also be a powerful force of change, peacebuilding and social cohesion.

On April 6-7, GPE, UNICEF, and the World Bank will be hosting a conference in Washington, D.C. on The Role of Education in Building Social Cohesion and Sustainable Peace. During the event, key education and peacebuilding thought leaders, practitioners, and researchers will share and discuss latest evidence from the Learning for Peace program.

Information on how to register to follow the conference online can be found here.