Safe Education for All: A Decade of Commitment, A Call to Action through the Safe Schools Declaration

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Overview

The Government of Kenya, in partnership with UNICEF, UNESCO, the Global Coalition to Protect Education from Attack (GCPEA), Save the Children, and Plan International, will host the Fifth International Conference on the Safe Schools Declaration (SSD) on 25-26 November 2025 in Nairobi, Kenya.

This Conference holds special significance as it marks the 10th anniversary of the Safe Schools Declaration—a landmark intergovernmental political commitment to protect students, teachers, schools, and universities during armed conflict endorsed by 121 States. Building on previous conferences hosted by Norway (2015), Argentina (2017), Spain (2019), and Nigeria (2021), this milestone event will serve as a global platform to reflect on progress made, share challenges and best practices, and align on collective strategies to protect education in conflict.

Objectives

1. Stocktaking and Learning by assessing progress and persistent challenges in implementing the SSD and its Guidelines for Protecting schools and Universities from Military Use during Armed Conflict. Stakeholders—including states, civil society, children, youth, teachers, and community leaders—will share experiences to inform global practice.
2. Accelerate Implementation through renewed focus on translating SSD commitments into national laws, policies, and military practices. Encourage measuring impact and improving compliance with international law. While the emphasis is on implementation, the conference will also call on non-endorsing states to formally endorse the SSD.
3. Enhance Accountability by promoting actions that strengthen international and domestic legal mechanisms to hold perpetrators accountable, with a focus on gender-sensitive and inclusive approaches.
4. Adopt the Nairobi Action Plan: Agree on an action-oriented plan aligned with the 2030 Agenda, setting out collective commitments and priorities for safeguarding education in conflict-affected settings.

Expected Outcomes

• Reinforced Political Commitment
  Increase in the number of SSD endorsing states and renewed public commitments by existing signatories.
• Actionable Implementation Strategies
  Practical, context-sensitive recommendations for implementing SSD commitments at national, regional, and international levels.
• Strengthened Accountability and Monitoring
  Improved national and international mechanisms to monitor and respond to attacks on education, with clearer pathways to justice for victims and survivors.
• Youth and Survivor Inclusion
  Amplified participation of children, youth, and survivors in shaping protection strategies and influencing policy.
• Enhanced Regional and International Cooperation
  Stronger partnerships among governments, international and regional organizations, and civil society to protect education from attack.

Audience

The Conference will bring together high-level and technical representatives from UN Member States, regional organizations, UN agencies, civil society, academia, and children and youth advocates. It will serve as a platform for cross-regional dialogue, mutual learning, and new partnerships to advance the protection of education in conflict.

Further information and updates regarding the conference can be found on the Conference Website: https://kenyaconferencessd.co.ke/

For any inquiries, please contact: safeschools@protectingeducation.org