2020 marked the 20th Anniversary of the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the involvement of children in armed conflict (OPAC). The Protocol strongly condemns the targeting of children in situations of armed conflict, and direct attacks on schools. Further, as a practical tool, 112 States have now endorsed the Safe Schools Declaration- an inter-governmental political commitment to protect students, teachers, schools, and universities from the worst effects of armed conflict. While significant progress has been registered, children affected by armed conflict continue to experience grave violations and abuses. The Roundtable will therefore provide a critical platform for the Mediterranean region to recommit to safeguarding education during conflict, as well as a space to share experiences, good practice, and recommendations to protect children in armed conflict and ensure their safe education.
In cooperation with
Protecting Children in Armed Conflict and the Safe Schools Declaration
a Mediterranean Perspective
11 October, 3pm CEST
Opening Remarks
Marina Sereni
Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Italy
Pilar Cancela Rodríguez
Secretariat of State for International Cooperation, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation, Spain
Daniela Fatarella
CEO, Save the Children Italy
Safe Education for Children in Armed Conflict
Alya Ahmed Saif Al-Thani
Permanent Representative of Qatar to the United Nations in New York
Diya Nijhowne
Executive Director, Global Coalition to Protect Education from Attack
Sahar Harbi
Senior Political Advisor, Ministry of Education of the Republic of Iraq
Laura Guercio
Representative, Universities Network for promoting the rights and the protection of Children involved in Armed Conflict (UNETCHAC)
Closing
Video testimony from a displaced child in Syria (courtesy of Save the Children)
Moderated by
Marta Serafini
Journalist, Corriere della Sera
