The 91������̳ (GCPEA) participated in a series of high-level engagements in Bogotá last week aimed at strengthening the protection of education from attack in Colombia and advancing the implementation of the Safe Schools Declaration. These events brought together government officials, members of Congress, civil society organizations, international partners, and education advocates to reinforce Colombia’s legal and policy efforts to protect education in situations of armed conflict and violence.

On 6 May 2026, GCPEA participated as an international expert in a public event convened by the Congress, the Special Jurisdiction for Peace (JEP), and Javeriana University focused on strengthening legal and policy protections for education and children affected by armed conflict. Speaking on a panel together with Ms. Vanessa Frazier, Under-Secretary-General and Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict; Hon. Prof. Robert Nanima, Member of the African Committee of Experts on the Rights and Welfare of the Child and Special Rapporteur on Children Affected by Armed Conflict; and Dr. Jerome Marston, Head of Research at KoboToolbox, GCPEA’s Senior Advocacy and Policy Advisor, Ms. Ilaria Paolazzi, highlighted international standards, normative gaps, comparative experiences, and lessons for Colombia, in particular with regard to the legislative initiative announced at the 5th International Conference on the Safe Schools Declaration and aimed at reforming the Colombian Penal Code to strengthen the protection of education from attack.

Ms. Paolazzi stressed, “Despite growing attention, very few countries have explicitly criminalized education-related crimes resulting from attacks on education. In most systems, attacks on education are addressed indirectly—through general offences. And this misses something essential: the specific and cumulative impact of these acts on access to and continuity of education. This leads directly to impunity.”

The Coalition also took part in a high-level luncheon at the Congress of the Republic of Colombia to provide technical inputs on the proposed bill aimed at criminalizing education-related crimes. The draft law is the result of GCPEA’s pilot work on its Legislative Checklist in Colombia, in partnership with Education Above All and Save the Children, and seeks to strengthen Colombia’s domestic legal framework by explicitly prohibiting attacks against schools and universities, their military use, as well as violence targeting students and educational personnel.

During the luncheon, Congresswoman Erika Sanchez, together with the President of Congress and co-authors of the bill, presented the rationale behind the legislative initiative, outlined its goals, and called for continued support from the international community. GCPEA shared comparative legal expertise and highlighted both strengths of the bill and recommendations on how to further strengthen its provisions, directly contributing to the ongoing congressional debate.

Ms. Paolazzi emphasized, “Protecting education depends not only on norms—but on whether violations are clearly defined, effectively investigated and prosecuted, and meaningfully sanctioned, while ensuring adequate reparation for victims and, where appropriate, the use of restorative justice mechanisms. Colombia’s legislative initiative has the potential to become a global reference point and GCPEA is committed to continued support.”

GCPEA was also invited to attend a ceremony at the Colombian Congress recognizing the contribution of Education Above All Foundation to strengthening the protection of education in Colombia. The Foundation received the Simón Bolívar Order of Democracy – Grand Cross in recognition of its support for initiatives advancing safe access to education and the protection of children and educational communities affected by conflict, including GCPEA’s pioneering accountability work in Colombia.

In addition, on 5 May 2026, GCPEA participated in an inter-ministerial meeting convened by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Colombia to discuss progress and challenges related to the implementation of the Safe Schools Declaration. Representatives from multiple government ministries and institutions reviewed advances in the country’s national implementation efforts, including prevention measures, data collection, protection protocols, and coordination mechanisms. Discussions also focused on identifying areas where additional technical cooperation and support are needed to further strengthen implementation in practice.

Colombia has emerged as an important regional and global leader in protecting education from attack and advancing implementation of the Safe Schools Declaration. GCPEA remains committed to supporting Colombian authorities, civil society, and international partners in efforts to ensure that all children and young people can safely access education, even in contexts affected by armed conflict and insecurity.