Plenary: Education in Fragile Situations

Plenary: The Hidden Emergency: Education in Fragile Situations


Global Consultation 2009, Istanbul

Wednesday 1 April, 9:00-10:30

Abstract

Fragility is functionally defined as a state’s lack of capacity and/or will to provide basic services to their populations. Contexts of fragility are distinguished by instability (political, economic, social), often coupled with the risk or the presence of violent conflict. Different conditions of fragility affect various aspects of education including access, quality, relevance, equity, and management. The development of the mutually re-enforcing linkages between education and fragility is at the forefront of the global agenda for education in crisis-affected situations. The increasing focus on these issue prompted INEE to establish the Working Group on Education and Fragility in early 2008.

This plenary will provide an overview of what education and fragility is, the challenges to education and the potentialities for education to contribute to stability in fragile situations. Specifically, the session will address three broad key questions:

  • What are the challenges for education in fragile situations?
  • How can education contribute to peacebuilding, state-building and stability?
  • How can INEE further contribute to ensuring quality and accessible education in fragile situations that supports stability and peace?


The session will involve a structured dialogue between a panel of invited speakers and audience members, to allow for the sharing of concrete experiences and the discussion of practical strategies for moving forward the agenda to strengthen education in situations of state fragility or vulnerability.

Session Objectives

  • Objective 1: The session will inform participants the relationship between education and fragility
  • Objective 2: The session will discuss challenges for education in fragile situations and the potential for education to contribute to stability


Expected Outcomes

  • Outcome 1: Understanding of the relationship between education and fragility
  • Outcome 2: Identification of challenges for education in fragile situations and the potential for education to contribute to stability
  • Outcome 3: Identification of potential ways forward to maximize the INEE network in addressing these issues


Panel

Chair: Rebecca Winthrop, International Rescue Committee - Awkward but Useful? A Short Review of the Education and Fragility Discourse

Presenters:

  • Hon. Maker Mwangu Famba, Minister of Education, Democratic Republic of Congo and ADEA representative
  • Ginny Kintz, CARE International, Timor Leste
  • Alan Smith, UNESCO Chair, University of Ulster, United Kingdom


For more information regarding this session please contact the Session Coordinator Kerstin Tebbe at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)kerstin@ineesite.org.

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