The following is a quote from a speech given by the Norwegian State Secretary in 2022 at the International Day to Protecting Education from Attack:

“The engagement over time laid the foundation for the UN Security Council unanimously adopting the landmark resolution 2601, initiated by Niger and Norway, in October last year. Co-sponsored by ninety-nine member states, it was the first resolution uniquely dedicated to the protection of education. It condemned attacks and threats of attack against schools, educational facilities and civilians connected with schools. It recognized the need for concrete measures to address the military use of schools. It further emphasized the need to provide the necessary protection and assistance to children, including mental health services, and safeguard the right to education.

In our view, we have the sufficient normative- and practical tools. Implementation demands knowledge, cooperation, leadership, and political will. We must continue to address the gaps in the implementation of existing commitments in protecting schools from attack. We also need to ensure the continuation of education during conflicts - including by investing in education in situations of conflict and emergencies. And we must include a gender dimension. Education is an investment in a person’s life. We need to continue to make the Safe Schools Declaration universal.”

The speech emphasizes the importance of education in countries with military instability and the absolute necessity to protect education despite ongoing conflict. What made a particular impact on me is the realization that education can be used as a weapon in the case of militarization of schools, and how important good education is to ensure that future generations in conflict areas can learn from the mistakes of current generations. A strength of the speech is that the State Secretary addresses the need for sufficient tools – he notes that “implementation demands knowledge, cooperation, leadership, and political will”, and he also notes the importance of mental health and providing protection and assistance. One critique is that he does not address much on diversity, other than a brief mention of gender. Addressing diversity and the challenges of educating diverse populations in conflict areas is imperative. It is particularly important where diversity in cultural or religious backgrounds play a role in the conflicts.