News and events

Stay up to date on all things Safe to Learn

Amena, 11 years old writes lessons on the blackboard at Shaikh Jalal High School in Shaikh Jalal Village, Baghlan province, Afghanistan.

Latest news and stories

Five signs of progress towards safe and enabling schools

Reflecting on a year of action towards ending violence in, around and through schools

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Education International joins the Safe to Learn Coalition

New Safe to Learn partner

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Delivering on pledges to end violence against children

One year on from the first-ever global Ministerial Conference

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What Works II joins the Safe to Learn Coalition

Announcing a new Safe to Learn partner

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Upcoming events and opportunities

Accordion

CGD Panel on School-Related Violence – 10 February, Washington D.C. USA (hybrid event)

Evidence increasingly shows that violence in and around schools is preventable, but we still need to understand what works at scale and how to translate research into effective and lasting policy. This panel will bring together researchers, policymakers, and practitioners to share the latest evidence on preventing school-related violence.

CIES Annual Conference ‘Reexamining Education and Peace in a Divided World’ – 28 March-1 April, San Francisco, USA

The 70th Annual CIES Conference will explore how education can foster peace amid division, with a focus on reducing conflict, building social cohesion, and promoting just learning environments. This is an opportunity to showcase evidence-based strategies, connect with education and policy leaders, and strengthen the movement for violence-free, inclusive schooling.

ISPCAN Congress – 24-26 August and Rise Up Policy Forum – 27 August, Melbourne, Australia

In August 2026, two major global gatherings will spotlight child protection and violence prevention. The ISPCAN Congress (24-26 August) will bring together experts to share research and strategies to end violence against children worldwide. Immediately after, the Rise Up Policy Forum (27 August) will focus on turning evidence into action through bold policy commitments. Both events offer opportunities for Safe to Learn partners to amplify progress and strengthen global collaboration. Abstracts are invited until 31 January 2026.

SVRI Forum – 5-9 October, Bangkok, Thailand

Co-hosted by the Southeast Asia Gender-Based Violence Prevention Platform and the UN Joint Programme, through UN Women and UNFPA, the Sexual Violence Research Initiative (SVRI) Forum shares research, evidence, and solutions to prevent and respond to violence against women (VAW), violence against children (VAC), and other forms of gender-based violence (GBV). Abstracts are invited and registration is open.

Second Ministerial Conference on Ending Violence Against Children – November, Philippines

The second Global Ministerial Conference on Ending Violence Against Children will take place in Manila, Philippines in November 2026. Building on the first conference’s momentum, it aims to support countries in delivering on their pledges, strengthen political leadership and advance evidence-based action.