From April 28 to May 5, 2025, the Global Action Week for Education (GAWE), coordinated by the Global Campaign for Education (GCE), spotlighted the urgent theme: “Education Saves Lives: Protect Education in Emergencies.” This theme underscored the critical role of education in providing safety, stability, and hope to learners affected by crises worldwide.
To inaugurate the week, the Europe and North America Campaign for Education (ENACE), under the leadership of its member-coalitions from the UK, Spain, France and Switzerland (RECI), hosted a compelling webinar that featured distinguished speakers:
- Yasmine Sherif, Director of Education Cannot Wait (ECW)
- Faiza Hassan, Director of the Inter-agency Network for Education in Emergencies (INEE)
- Farida Sonia, Youth Activist from Burkina Faso
The discussions delved into the escalating number of children affected by conflicts, environmental disasters and other crises, the ramifications of funding cuts, and the imperative for robust international commitments to safeguard education amidst global instability.
Following the panel, participants engaged in thematic workshops focusing on:
- Localisation of education aid
- Comprehensive school safety
- Financing education in emergencies
- Lifesaving learning
- Disability-inclusive education in emergencies
- Foundational learning in crisis contexts
Each workshop culminated in the creation of advocacy messages, which RECI disseminated on social media platforms during GAWE to amplify the campaign’s impact.
The 2025 GAWE emphasised that education is not merely a fundamental right but also a vital component of humanitarian response, offering protection and a pathway to resilience for those affected by emergencies.
Read our advocacy messages:
