Nesmy Manigat
In a world where conflict and instability threaten the futures of millions of children, Qatar’s “education diplomacy” stands out as a beacon of hope and resilience. By championing education as both a universal right and a strategic tool for peace, Qatar is helping to stabilize some of the world’s most fragile societies—not only in its immediate neighborhood, but across continents.
From the Middle East to Haiti, Qatar’s support to education in emergencies is providing children with safe spaces to learn, shielding them from violence and exploitation, and laying the groundwork for long-term stability. This global approach demonstrates that education is not just a humanitarian imperative, but a cornerstone of peace and security—one that Qatar is determined to protect and promote wherever the need is greatest.
Haiti stands today as one of the starkest examples of how violence and instability can devastate a nation’s education system. In 2024 alone, gang violence forced the closure of nearly 919 schools, destroyed hundreds more, and displaced over 100,000 children in the south of the country. Armed groups now control large parts of the capital, Port-au-Prince, and their attacks on schools have surged. These attacks do more than destroy buildings—they shatter hope, disrupt learning, and expose children to recruitment by armed groups. In fact, more than half of gang members in Haiti are children, a tragic testament to how the absence of safe, continuous education can fuel cycles of violence and trauma.
The consequences are dire: one in seven Haitian children is now out of school, and nearly a million more are at risk of dropping out. For many, school is not just a place to learn but a sanctuary from hunger, exploitation, and violence. Without it, children are left vulnerable, families are destabilized, and the nation’s future is put at risk.
Education in emergencies also lays the foundation for peace and stability. Learning fosters understanding, tolerance, and mutual respect among individuals and communities. By encouraging critical thinking and facilitating dialogue, education bridges divides and contributes to the development of more cohesive and resilient societies.
One extra year of education can reduce the risk of conflict by up to 20 percent. Quality learning helps tackle the drivers of violence and builds resilience to instability. Research by the Global Partnership for Education (GPE) and the Institute for Economics and Peace shows a clear link between education and peace. Countries with better educated populations tend to be more peaceful and stable, essential conditions for economic development and growth.
Schools equip individuals with the skills and knowledge needed to participate in the workforce, innovate, and contribute to the economy. As economic growth takes hold, it creates a virtuous cycle, where increased prosperity leads to greater stability and peace. This cycle underscores the importance of investing in education as a means of achieving sustainable development and lasting peace.
Qatar’s support for education in crisis is not confined to its immediate neighborhood. Through its Education Above All Foundation and partnerships with organizations like the Global Partnership for Education (GPE), Qatar has extended its reach to some of the world’s most challenging environments—including Haiti. In the Caribbean Island country, Qatar leveraged the GPE Multiplier to support education for children affected by violence and displacement. $10 million from Qatar attracted more funding from other organizations, including the World Food Programme (WFP) and the Inter-American Development Bank. By combining these funds, a total of $58 million was raised through the GPE Multiplier to help run education and school meal programs for Haitian vulnerable children.
By investing in education in places like Haiti, Qatar demonstrates that its vision of stabilization and hope transcends borders. Its leadership in establishing the International Day to Protect Education from Attack at the United Nations is a testament to its commitment to safeguarding learning for all children, everywhere.
The crisis in Haiti is a powerful reminder that education in emergencies is not just a humanitarian imperative—it is a strategic investment in global stability. Qatar’s education diplomacy, which spans continents and conflict zones, is helping to break cycles of violence, build resilience, and offer hope where it is needed most. As the world faces rising instability, Qatar’s example calls on all nations to act: to protect education, invest in children, and recognize that the path to peace and security begins in the classroom—whether in Port-au-Prince, Gaza, or beyond.
GPE’s continuous partnership with Qatar and Education Above All remains critical. Today, more than 473 million children live in conflict-affected areas. Over half of all GPE partner countries are affected by conflict and fragility. Against this backdrop, GPE has launched an ambitious financing campaign to mobilize $5bn and unlock an additional $10bn for education, multiplying learning possibilities for 750 million children, two thirds of whom live in fragile countries.
GPE is looking to grow our collaboration with Qatar and Education Above All to give even more children in crisis-affected countries the opportunity to learn and thrive so they can help build a better and more peaceful future.
