Do we need to strengthen the right to education?

Everyone has the right to education: it is enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the Convention on the Rights of the Child. However, worldwide, 244 million children and youth are not getting an education for social, economic and cultural reasons. For many, the cost of education remains a significant barrier, disproportionately affecting children and adolescents from low-income families, girls, children with disabilities, as well as other vulnerable school-age populations. Conflicts of various kinds and the COVID-19 pandemic have exacerbated the global education crisis.

In many conflicts around the world, attacks on education are extensive. Armed groups deliberately target schools, teachers and students. Attacks on schools disrupt the education system and violate children's rights: in addition to putting children at risk of injury or death, they affect students' access to education and displace families. Stronger protection for education in conflict has never been more important. 

In this seminar, Human Rights Watch new initiative to support efforts to strengthen the right to free education will be discussed. The panelists in the seminar are Nevena Saykova, Education Advocate at Human Rights Watch Childrens Rights Division as well as Måns Molander, Human Rights Watch Nordic Director. Christina Abdulahad, Advocacy Coordinator at Human Rights Watch, will moderate.