EENET asia Newsletters : Fifth issue 4th Quarter 2007 / 1st Quarter 2008

Training on Minimum Standard for Education in Emergencies, Chronic Crises, and Early Reconstruction

11th-13th September 2007, Kathmandu, Nepal

Following the peace agreement signed by the Government and the Maoists in November 2006, Nepal has begun the transition from conflict towards durable peace and sustainable development. The Government of Nepal, national and international organizations are directing their programmes towards rehabilitation and reconstruction as well as long term peace building. The country has also been affected by natural disasters such as the floods of July, particularly in the Terai region.

Guided by the country plan for Rewrite the Future, the Save the Children Alliance is taking the campaign forward to ensure quality education for all children affected by crises. As part of the commitments, Save the Children has agreed to work with the MOE and UN partners to develop a national plan of action on education in emergencies and reconstruction. Toward this end, Save the Children facilitated a five day workshop for the MOE, national and international NGOs and UN agencies, which took place in Kathmandu, 11-13 September, 2007.

The workshop was opened by Arjun Bahadur Bhandari, Joint Secretary of Ministry of Education and Sports, and Gunar Anderson, Country Representative, Save the Children Norway-Nepal. Bart Vrolijk, Regional Education Advisor, Save the Children Sweden, presented main issues related to education in emergencies in conflict and transitional contexts (need to ensure holistic and coordinated response by integrating emergency education in national policy and strengthening of local resources and systems).

Andy Naslas, Disaster Risk Reduction Regional Advisor, Save the Children Sweden, shared examples of good practices of Child-led Disaster Risk Reduction in Thailand and school based disaster preparedness plan in Sri Lanka.

Josh Madfis, Emergency Education Specialist, Emergencies and Protection, Save the Children US, presented INEE’s Minimum Standards on Emergency Education and led participants through an exercise applying the standards to the July flood. Participants also discussed planning of emergency responses and reconstruction activities.

UNESCO-Nepal presented its peace education programme.

In an interactive session facilitated by Melinda Smith, Emergency Education Advisor for UNICEF-Nepal and Bart Vrolijk of Save the Children Sweden, the workshop participants studied the causes and effects of the July floods and the conflict in the Terai region on education and children’s well being. Participants developed an action plan and strategies to address the immediate education and protection needs of the children displaced by the July floods and those affected by the conflict. MOE participants agreed to develop a National Emergency Planning and Coordination Unit, to plan for and respond to emergencies, and to coordinate UN, NGO, and other stakeholders involved in emergency response.

For further information please contact Mr. Bart Vrolijk via email: bartvrolijk24@hotmail.com

EENET asia Newsletters : Fifth issue 4th Quarter 2007 / 1st Quarter 2008