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Education for conflict prevention and peacebuilding: meeting the global challenges of the 21st century Year of publication: 2012 Author: Phyllis Kotite Corporate author: UNESCO International Institute for Educational Planning (IIEP) The 21st century is witnessing global concern over the interrelated effects of climate change, the economic crisis, energy depletion, food and water shortages, natural disasters and conflicts all of which have devastating effects on humanity and the future of the planet. These events impact education systems and can impair the ability of governments to provide quality education for their citizens. However, when governments and ministries of education analyse and anticipate the risk of such events through careful planning, education can play an important role in preventing violent conflict, and in supporting peacebuilding efforts. An estimated 1.5 billion people live in countries affected by repeated cycles of political and other forms of violence, and the same population is often affected by hunger and poverty. Furthermore, such countries have difficulty meeting development goals. For example, no low-income fragile or conflict-affected country has yet achieved a single MDG (World Bank, 2011). In 2010 world military expenditures reached US$1.6 trillion as a result of fifteen ongoing conflicts (SIPRI, 2011). Yet, it is estimated that only US$16 billion is needed to fill the education gap to reach the EFA goals (UNESCO, 2011b: 11). This paper argues that we have the knowledge, legal instruments and mechanisms to prevent conflict and to transfer resources to sustainable development and education to meet the challenges of the 21st century. The paper describes a range of conflict prevention initiatives and examines the role of policy-makers, youth, women, and the media in maintaining and restoring peace as part of a holistic vision of education. International institutions, governments and civil society are increasingly developing conflict prevention mechanisms and utilizing political and economic incentives to avoid conflicts. They are also creating new technology for sustainable development, adaptation to climate change and renewable forms of energy. Educational planning must therefore go beyond traditional mechanisms. It must take into consideration the unpredictable nature of our times; be flexible and rapid in implementation and responsive to local needs. Training and research in sustainable development; and skills for peaceful inter-human relations, good governance, the prevention of conflict and peacebuilding are priorities elaborated in the paper. In addition, specific recommendations are highlighted such as: capacity development for conflict prevention within the education sector and other ministries, analysing the root causes of conflict and the role that education can play in mitigating tensions. This paper is an elaboration of Chapter 1.2 of the IIEP-UNESCO Guidebook for Planning Education in Emergencies and Reconstruction (IIEP-UNESCO, 2010). A brief treatment of additional global challenges (e.g. water scarcity, food insufficiency, energy depletion and economic instability), which are beyond the educational focus of this paper, may be found in Annex I. 
Planning education with and for youth Year of publication: 2015 Author: Anja Hopma | Lynne Sergeant Corporate author: UNESCO International Institute for Educational Planning (IIEP) As a central stakeholder in education, young people should be involved in educational planning. This publication focuses on the rationale for and obstacles to youth involvement, as well as the efforts of ministries of education to engage youth in their planning work. It is based on discussions and recommendations that emerged from the high-level international policy forum on ‘Engaging youth in planning education for social transformation’ organized by the UNESCO International Institute for Educational Planning (IIEP) in Paris from 16 to 18 October 2012. This policy forum set out to explore the following broad themes: (i) youth engagement in planning education for conflict transformation and peace building; (ii) strengthening young people’s skills and opportunities for civic engagement within formal and non-formal education systems; and (iii) enhancing the relevance of education systems for young people in their transition to employment. This publication draws on the exchanges during the pre-forum online debates, discussions among participants during the forum, and testimonials from practitioners and youth. Programa Mundial para Educação em Direitos Humanos: segunda fase, plano de ação Year of publication: 2012 Corporate author: UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights According to Human Rights Council resolution 12/4, the second phase of the World Programme (2010–2014) will focus “on human rights education for higher education and on human rights training programmes for teachers and educators, civil servants, law enforcement officials and military personnel at all levels” and “Member States should also continue the implementation of human rights education in primary and secondary school systems”. The plan of action focuses on human rights education in two broadly defined sectors, i.e. higher education and training for civil servants, law enforcement officials and the military. 
World programme for human rights education: second phase; plan of action Year of publication: 2012 Corporate author: UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights According to Human Rights Council resolution 12/4, the second phase of the World Programme (2010–2014) will focus “on human rights education for higher education and on human rights training programmes for teachers and educators, civil servants, law enforcement officials and military personnel at all levels” and “Member States should also continue the implementation of human rights education in primary and secondary school systems”. The plan of action focuses on human rights education in two broadly defined sectors, i.e. higher education and training for civil servants, law enforcement officials and the military. Plano de ação: Programa Mundial para Educação em Direitos Humanos Year of publication: 2012 Corporate author: UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights The Plan of Action for the first phase (2005-2007) of the World Programme was adopted by all United Nations Member States in July 2005. It proposes a concrete strategy and practical guidance for implementing human rights education in primary and secondary schools. On 10 December 2004, the General Assembly of the United Nations proclaimed the World Programme for Human Rights Education (2005-ongoing) to advance the implementation of human rights education programmes in all sectors. Building on the foundations laid during the United Nations Decade for Human Rights Education (1995-2004), this new initiative reflects the international community’s increasing recognition that human rights education produces far-reaching results. By promoting respect for human dignity and equality and participation in democratic decision-making, human rights education contributes to the long-term prevention of abuses and violent conflicts. To help make human rights a reality in every community, the World Programme seeks to promote a common understanding of the basic principles and methodologies of human rights education, to provide a concrete framework for action and to strengthen partnerships and cooperation from the international level down to the grass roots. 
Plan of action: world programme for human rights education; first phase Year of publication: 2006 Corporate author: UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights The Plan of Action for the first phase (2005-2007) of the World Programme was adopted by all United Nations Member States in July 2005. It proposes a concrete strategy and practical guidance for implementing human rights education in primary and secondary schools. On 10 December 2004, the General Assembly of the United Nations proclaimed the World Programme for Human Rights Education (2005-ongoing) to advance the implementation of human rights education programmes in all sectors. Building on the foundations laid during the United Nations Decade for Human Rights Education (1995-2004), this new initiative reflects the international community’s increasing recognition that human rights education produces far-reaching results. By promoting respect for human dignity and equality and participation in democratic decision-making, human rights education contributes to the long-term prevention of abuses and violent conflicts. To help make human rights a reality in every community, the World Programme seeks to promote a common understanding of the basic principles and methodologies of human rights education, to provide a concrete framework for action and to strengthen partnerships and cooperation from the international level down to the grass roots. 
Guidelines for education sector plan preparation Year of publication: 2015 Corporate author: UNESCO International Institute for Educational Planning (IIEP) | Global Partnership for Education (GPE) At the World Education Forum, in Dakar in 2000, the international community pledged that no country with a credible plan to achieve the Education for All goals would be thwarted by a lack of resources. Since then, the development of an education sector plan (ESP) has become a priority in many countries. ESPs present the policies and strategies for national education reform, and are a powerful tool for coordinating partners and for mobilizing additional domestic and external resources. They have become a critical instrument for governments to signal to all potential investors that their education policies are credible, sustainable, and worthy of investment. The consensus on the need for credible ESPs is strong. However, what does a credible plan require in terms of government leadership, knowledge and data, institutional and human capacities, and dialogue among the education stakeholders? What are the criteria that establish the credibility of a plan?The purpose of these guidelines is to assist countries in preparing credible education sector plans. A second document, Guidelines for Education Sector Plan Appraisal, can be utilized to check whether the plan responds to the expected requirements. In certain contexts of vulnerability, confl ict, or crisis, countries may also consider the development of a transitional education plan, more short-term and action-oriented, and adjusted to the context and available capacities for situation analysis and data requirements. Specifi c guidelines are being prepared. However references to fragile contexts or vulnerability situations are streamlined in these guidelines. These guidelines are not exhaustive. They should be adapted to country contexts and needs. They present an overview of sector analysis, consultative processes, policy reform, strategy development, plan implementation, and monitoring. They do not replace technical manuals on specific tools and methodologies that are used at the various steps of the development of a plan. 
Guidelines for education sector plan appraisal Year of publication: 2015 Corporate author: UNESCO International Institute for Educational Planning (IIEP) | Global Partnership for Education (GPE) At the World Education Forum, in Dakar in 2000, the international community pledged that no country with a credible plan to achieve the Education for All goals would be thwarted by a lack of resources. Since then, the development of an education sector plan (ESP) has become a priority in many countries. ESPs present the policies and strategies for national education reform, and are a powerful tool for coordinating partners and for mobilizing additional domestic and external resources. They have become a critical instrument for governments to signal to all potential investors that their education policies are credible, sustainable, and worthy of investment.The consensus on the need for credible ESPs is strong. However, what does a credible plan require in terms of government leadership, knowledge and data, institutional and human capacities, and dialogue among the education stakeholders? What are the criteria that establish the credibility of a plan? The purpose of these guidelines is to assist education stakeholders in appraising the soundness, relevance, and coherence that form the credibility of ESPs. The primary objective of an appraisal report is to support the finalization of a credible ESP. It provides a fair review of the ESP strengths and areas in need of improvement before the endorsement by partners which signifies their commitment to support the implementation of the ESP. These guidelines are meant to be adapted to national contexts and needs. The stakeholders should discuss the scope and the methodology of the appraisal to be used, and develop a common vision of the whole process. The appraisal process should be participatory, and grounded in the political and technical dialogue for ESP development. It should involve consultations, interviews with key stakeholders, and field visits, in addition to a desk review of the ESP and any other relevant documents. It is good practice to organize a validation workshop of the appraisal report’s findings, conclusions, and recommendations to feed into the ESP finalization. The appraisal process should occur early enough in the ESP development process to allow time for decision-makers to open consultations on these conclusions and recommendations in order to improve the final version of the ESP. Astrolabe: a guide to education for sustainable development coordination in Asia and the Pacific Year of publication: 2011 Corporate author: UNESCO Office Bangkok and Regional Bureau for Education in Asia and the Pacific An astrolabe is an ancient instrument used to measure the position of the sun and stars. In the past it was used for a number of purposes, such as determining the time of day or night and measuring one’s current position in relation to the north and south poles. A mariner’s astrolabe was used to determine the latitude of a ship at sea and guide its direction. Similar to the mariner’s astrolabe, the Asia-Pacific Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) Astrolabe aims to assist UNESCO Member States in determining the current position of ESD in their country and guiding education and learning in a desired direction, so as to support the advancement of sustainable development in the national context. The ESD Astrolabe is also intended to complement ongoing efforts to enhance the quality of education throughout the Asia-Pacific region. [Video] Whole School Approach to Global Citizenship Year of publication: 2011 Corporate author: Education Scotland Global citizenship brings together education for citizenship, international education and sustainable development education and recognises the common outcomes and principles of these three areas. All curriculum areas can contribute to developing the skills, attributes and knowledge that will create active global citizens.