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RTE has partnered with Global Campus of Human Rights to launch a MOOC (Massive Online Open Course) on Children’s right to education in armed conflict, for which free enrolment is currently open.
The context for this course is the worrying increase in attacks on children, young people, and teachers and academics in recent years. According to GCPEA, in 2020 and 2021 more than 9,000 students and educators were harmed in more than 5000 attacks on education. Globally, around one quarter of the world’s population live in conflict zones, with millions of children growing up in contexts of violence and instability.
The impact that wars, conflicts and displacement have on children are immense. From the psychosocial impacts of war to physical and sexual violence, from the interruption or cessation of education to abduction and recruitment in or on the way to school, armed conflict violates multiple rights for young people. Our Monitoring Guides on conflict and the right to education for civil society organisations and journalists address these issues and support the documentation of violations and process of reporting to relevant mechanisms.
But we recognise that as a complement to these guides, training can address the knowledge gap which exists in terms of legal frameworks, instruments and avenues for action. This MOOC, led principally by the Global Campus for Human Rights, will address this knowledge gap and will enable more people and resources to mobilise in defence of the right to education, and all other rights it enables.
This course brings together case studies and examples from the field to illustrate situations, violations and existing good practices. The course will benefit from analytical and practical inputs from academics and experts, alongside testimonies from affected children, young students and teachers/educators which will contextualise impact.
Course dates:
8 March 2024
Course structure and methodology:
The MOOC runs over 5 weeks, with approximately 25-30 hours of active learning, and is organised in 3 modules. It will include video lectures, readings, peer-to-peer learning through discussions and webinars as well as knowledge checks with polls and quizzes, all aimed at developing and reinforcing personal critical reflection. Case studies will focus on examples and current debates from different regions and countries in the world.
Module 1 – Education as a right for children
- Education as an enabling right and a multiplier right
Education in situations of armed conflict
Module 2 – Protecting the right to education of children in armed conflict
Facing violations during armed conflict
Minimising risks and maximising protection
Module 3 – The way forward
Possible solutions to protect the right to education during armed conflict
Learning Outcomes
At the end of the course, participants will have gained:
Key information about definitions, components and core content of the right to education
Increased awareness about the connections between the right to education and armed conflict
Robust knowledge on legal standards, monitoring mechanisms and promising practices related to the right to education in the framework of armed conflict
Clearer understanding – through reference to case studies and implementation on the ground – of the need to adopt a rights-based approach to children’s education in the context of armed conflict.
Ultimately, the course is a pathway to:
Reinforce awareness and amplify dialogue on the importance of talking and acting on children’s education as a matter of rights
Empower participants through education on how to defend the right to education even – and above all - during armed conflict
Envisage a roadmap for change, including on how to develop inter-sectoral collaboration, policy plans, monitoring processes and advocacy strategies.
Free certificate of participation
At the end of the course, participants who have completed all discussions, polls and quizzes will receive a free certificate confirming their participation.
Target Audience
This MOOC is designed for education professionals, policy-makers, staff of humanitarian and human rights organisations, children’s rights defenders and other members of civil society who currently work, advocate and care for the promotion and protection of children’s right to education, especially in armed conflict.
How to Enrol
The MOOC on Children’s Right to Education in Armed Conflict is free and open for enrolment (see above for target audiences). We welcome all interested parties currently working to advocate, promote and protect children’s right to education, especially in the context of armed conflict.
Enrol here until March 8, 2024 for this course.