Conference Program

In conflict zones, children are the most vulnerable group, a situation drastically exacerbated by the proliferation of global conflicts. Data from PRIO (2024) show that the number of children living in war zones has doubled, rising from 10% in 1990 to the current 19%. The observations made by Ladd and Cairns (1996) regarding the lethality of modern wars for civilians are tragically confirmed today: the United Nations Secretary-General (2024) reports a further 25% increase in violence against chidren compared to the previous year. These figures, which we must not forget refer to people, highlight serious short- and long-term consequences on a human, psychological and social level (Bessell, O’Sullivan, 2026). It is therefore imperative to prioritise the well-being of children in war zones and areas of genocide, ensuring the rights enshrined in the 1989 UN Convention. Having ratified the Convention in 1991, Italy is obliged to implement universal protection measures, without borders.

This presentation analyses the dramatic loss of educational opportunities in the Gaza Strip following 7 October, highlighting the resulting stalling of children’s cognitive, emotional and relational development. Despite this context, there are concrete examples of sumud, the typical Palestinian resilience that transforms attachment to life and the land into creative solutions as an informal school and artistic activities for children.

In line with UNESCO (2023), we believe that peace is not merely the absence of conflict, but a participatory process founded on universal access to education, a cornerstone right for the realisation of all other human rights. We firmly believe that the strengthening of justice and the rule of law depends precisely on the protection of educational experiences.