Participants during Paris Crosswalk.
Doha, Qatar: Education Above All (EAA) Foundation, a global foundation for education and development, marks the International Day to Protect Education from Attack yesterday. Observed annually on 9 September, the day highlights the urgent importance of safeguarding students, teachers, schools, universities and learning spaces affected by war, conflict, displacement and insecurity.
Held this year under the theme “Can Education Survive Attack? The Resilience of Human Communities,” the 2026 observance reflects on the ability of education systems, communities, teachers, families and young people to keep learning alive even in the most challenging circumstances.
The International Day to Protect Education from Attack was established following a resolution presented by Qatar, spearheaded by H H Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, and adopted unanimously by the United Nations General Assembly in 2020.
According to the latest Education Under Attack 2026 report by the Global Coalition to Protect Education from Attack, at least 9,259 attacks on education and incidents of military use of schools and universities were recorded in 2024 and 2025, representing an increase of more than 50 percent compared with the previous reporting period.
Chief Executive Officer of EAA Foundation, Mohammed Al-Kubaisi said: “Education can survive attack, but only if we choose to build systems capable of survival.
Schools are not targets, teachers are not combatants, and children’s futures are not collateral damage. Protecting education must go beyond rebuilding after harm has occurred; it must include preparedness, safe learning pathways, alternative education solutions, psychosocial support, and accountability for those who attack education.”
This year’s observance places particular emphasis on the message that protection alone is not enough. Education must be designed to survive attack, ensuring that learning can continue even when schools are damaged, occupied, closed or unsafe.
At the heart of the 2026 theme is the recognition that communities and young people are often the frontline defenders of education. As part of this year’s observance, EAA Foundation, together with its partners, will present The Crosswalk in both Paris and Geneva as a visual activation designed to translate data on attacks on education into a direct public experience.
In Paris, EAA Foundation, Unesco and the Permanent Delegation of Qatar to Unesco will jointly present The Crosswalk at Unesco Headquarters from September 9 to 13. The installation will be accompanied by a digital display featuring key facts, campaign messages, a QR code linking to Unesco’s Preventative Plan of Action to Protect Education from Attack, and an interactive prompt asking: “Can Education Survive Attack?” Bringing the campaign into a diplomatic and policy setting, the activation reinforces awareness of the growing threats facing education and the importance of international cooperation to protect it.
