Session Overview: Introducing the Education Cluster


Global Consultation 2009, Istanbul

Tuesday 31 March, 16:45-18:30: Concurrent Learning Session Block 2

Abstract

The Global Education Cluster is the newest of the IASC Clusters, established to enhance preparedness and response to emerging crises, whether human-made or natural disasters, around the world. This recognizes the importance of education both as a first humanitarian response (along with health, nutrition, water/sanitation/hygiene, protection, shelter and others) and as a sector which contributes to better preparedness, disaster risk reduction, early recovery and transition from emergency status. In September 2008 an Education Cluster Working Group (ECWG) was inaugurated, embracing a broad alliance of members, to advance the Cluster’s activities at all levels – global, regional, national and local. The ECWG is closely aligned to INEE and both global groups seek to promote appropriate education responses in and around emergencies. The Education Cluster is unique, being co-led by a UN Agency (UNICEF) and an NGO (Save the Children).

This session will explore the development of the Education Cluster to date, and highlight ways forward as determined by the ECWG meeting just prior to the INEE Global Consultation. It will profile a recent Education Cluster country-level experience, through a case study looking at start up and operation in the Occupied Palestinian Territories.

While an overview will be provided of the Education Cluster’s work in relation to field operations and capacity building, this session will delve a bit deeper into knowledge management. Participants will take part in a brief activity drawn from field work on assessment and information management. There will be opportunity to further discuss their thoughts on improving the cluster’s work in the area of knowledge management.

This session is closely linked with a session on the capacity building work of the Education Cluster, held at a later time.

Session Objectives

  • Objective 1: To explore the development of the Education Cluster to date, both at global and country levels, and highlight ways forward
  • Objective 2: To profile recent Education Cluster country level experience, with a closer glimpse at cluster start up and operations in the occupied Palestinian Territories
  • Objective 3: To better understand the knowledge management function of the Education Cluster, and discuss ways to strengthen its work in this area


Expected Outcomes

  • Outcome 1: Participants have better understood how the Education Cluster functions, including both at a global and country level
  • Outcome 2: Participants have engaged in discussion around knowledge management and inputted their ideas on strengthening this aspect of the Education Cluster’s work
  • Outcome 3: Participants have identified further opportunities for themselves or colleagues to engaged with the Education Cluster at global or country levels


Panel

Chair: Susan Nicolai, Save the Children

Presenters:

  • Roger Wright, UNICEF
  • Susan Nicolai, Save the Children
  • Ellen Van Kalmthout, UNICEF
  • Bente Sandal-Aasen, Save the Children
  • Brenda Haiplik, Save the Children
  • Zuki Karpinska, CERG


For more information regarding this session please contact the Session Coordinator Susan Nicolai at {encode="susan@savethechildren.ch" title="susan@savethechildren.ch"}.

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