UNESCO Side Event I “Protecting the Right to Early Childhood Care and Education During Crisis”

Protecting the Right to Early Childhood Care and Education During Crisis

The event was held alongside the Human Rights Council and followed the dialogue on the right to education organized in June 2024 by the Swiss Commission for UNESCO, the University of Geneva, UNESCO IBE and the UNESCO Liaison Office in Geneva.

During the event's introduction, representatives from Denmark, Colombia, South Sudan, Luxembourg, and the Maldives discussed the challenges they face and highlighted exemplary practices implemented at the national level. They emphasized the importance of tailoring responses to fit national contexts, including community-based initiatives, as well as the significance of data collection in these settings. Several speakers pointed out the need to address additional dimensions beyond education, such as mental health.

Key stakeholders shared insights from their respective areas of expertise, including UNESCO, UNICEF, UNHCR, WHO, Education Cannot Wait (ECW), and the Institute on Statelessness and Inclusion.

UNESCO discussed the evolving nature of the right to education, noting that particular attention is being paid to Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) within this framework. The Institute on Statelessness and Inclusion reminded attendees that a child's legal status or the absence of administrative documents should not hinder access to ECCE. UNICEF presented their "Five Million Futures" initiative, which aims to provide equitable access to quality, inclusive ECCE for 5 million children and their families, particularly in areas affected by crises, through three core pillars. WHO highlighted that care and education begin at home and referenced the Nurturing Care Framework for Early Childhood Development. The UNHCR urged all stakeholders to collaborate in increasing resources and support for early childhood development in crisis situations, while ECW emphasized the necessity of intentional funding for ECCE.

In the Q&A session, the Dominican Republic underscored that without education, conflicts tend to recur, asserting that "education will free us from conflicts."

Petra Heusser, Executive Director of the Geneva Global Hub for Education in Emergencies, concluded with a human rights perspective, stating that human rights mechanisms are essential for realizing the right to education and informing the audience about the publication of several factsheets designed to enhance their utilization.

Photos of the event