Education in crisis situations: Switzerland reinforces its commitment
Bern, 09.11.2022 - Armed conflicts, forced displacement, natural catastrophes and other crises have left 222 million children around the world with little or no access to education. On 9 November 2022 the Federal Council decided to continue its commitment to education in crisis situations, authorising a contribution of CHF 25 million to the Education Cannot Wait fund for the period 2022–24.
The number of children around the world excluded from education because of crisis situations has tripled since 2016 and will likely continue to rise due to the impact of COVID-19. Children with disabilities and girls are particularly affected by this. Gaps in education among the next generation jeopardise the social and economic development as well as the recovery of countries affected by crises. A lack of education makes girls and boys more vulnerable to exploitation, violence, psychosocial stress and recruitment by armed groups.
Education a priority of Switzerland's international cooperation
For Switzerland, education is a key element of child protection. It creates prospects, offers hope, and can save lives. It also drives economic development and helps improve living conditions, which makes it an important part of achieving sustainable peace. This is why education has for years been a key aspect of Switzerland's international cooperation, which has worked to ensure the most vulnerable are not left behind. Education in emergencies (EiE) is also relevant to the protection of civilians, one of Switzerland's priorities during its term on the UN Security Council.
Switzerland to host the Education Cannot Wait High-Level Financing Conference
The presence of numerous key actors such as the Geneva Global Hub for Education in Emergencies makes Geneva an important centre of activity in the field of EiE, and also explains why Switzerland is hosting the Education Cannot Wait (ECW) High-Level Funding Conference in February 2023.
The UN's ECW fund supports the right to education in emergencies and long-term crises. It was founded in 2016 to address the urgent need for education in humanitarian crisis contexts in a flexible, quick and interconnected manner. In the past five years it has provided access to educational programmes to 6.9 million girls and boys affected by crises, allowing them to improve their learning outcomes and contribute to a more stable and prosperous society. ECW will be mobilising more funds from public and private donors in order to meet its goals for the coming years. Switzerland will be providing the fund with CHF 25 million for the period 2022–24.
Address for enquiries
For further information:
FDFA Communication
Tel. +41 58 462 31 53
Tel. Press service +41 460 55 55
kommunikation@eda.admin.ch
Publisher
The Federal Council
https://www.admin.ch/gov/en/start.html
Federal Department of Foreign Affairs
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