Rewrite the future
One year ago we launched a campaign in more than 40 countries to help the 39 million children caught up in conflict and emergencies who are not going to school.
Children don't cause wars and couldn't pick where they were born, but they suffer the consequences every day by missing out on the opportunities an education can bring.
Watch a short clip about our work:
What we are doing
Save the Children is working in conflict-affected countries to help three million children get a quality education by 2010. We're also working hard to improve the quality of education already on offer to a further five million children, via projects such as teacher training and by persuading governments and international agencies to put the right policies and resources in place.
Peace begins in the minds of children
When peace talks take place, education must be recognised as a key component to maintaining the long-term stability of a country. However, of the 37 peace agreements signed between 1989 and 2005, only 11 mentioned education at all. Our new report, Where Peace Begins, aims to trigger debate on how education can become a fundamental component of peace processes.
One year on, what have we achieved so far?
- 3.4 million children in more than 20 countries have benefited from Rewrite the Future programmes that provide, for example, better quality teaching and access to education
- US $240 million has been raised, helping us begin to make a significant impact for millions more children
- 590,000 children have begun receiving a primary education with our support
- In April 2007 the UK government earmarked £150 million to enable children in conflict-affected countries to get an education.
See the One Year On report for more information.
Rich countries failing children
World leaders have promised to get all children into primary education by 2015. But our research shows they are not doing enough to hit this target. View 'The story of the future' report.
Our Last in Line, Last in School report (PDF 500KB) reveals the world's richest countries give the least amount of aid to the countries that need it most - those affected by conflict. With less than a fifth of global education aid, children in these countries are the last in line to go to school. This can't be allowed to continue.
What we're doing
Find out what we're doing at a country-level:
- Read Halima's story to see how conflict prevents education in Afghanistan.
- In Serbia, Rewrite the Future Children presented their country's president with a charter for better education. Read the story.
- Josie Cohen, a campaigner for Rewrite the Future, recently travelled to Liberia. Read Josie's blog about children's education in Liberia.
What you can do
Save the Children can't do it alone. Show your support by signing our Rewrite the Future blackboard, making a one-off donation or setting up a direct debit.
One year on
We're focused on securing quality education for the millions of children out of school due to war and armed conflict. See the results.
The UK government responds
Your support is making a difference! The UK government has pledged support for education in conflict-affected countries. Read the full reponse.
