Education and Culture in Emergency and Fragility

OPTIMUM believes in Education as a fundamental human right. With conflicts occurring all over the region, the disruption to children's schooling can have a devastating effect on their social and emotional development. Through quality intervention, coordination and methodical approaches to overcoming obstacles, organizations can reduce the impact on children's development in times of emergency and fragility.  

We have conducted many consultancies on education in emergencies and fragile situations. For example, we worked with Save the Children on the conceptualization of Schools as 'Zones of Peace' in Palestine. We integrated the international concept to the Palestinian case, following a literature review, together with a qualitative and quantitative study that included schools in various zones in need of protection in the West Bank, Jerusalem and Gaza.  

Culture is the heart of the region. In times of emergency and fragility, it is often sidelined. OPTIMUM believes in the importance of maintaining the culture, and its benefits in social cohesion, a sense of purpose and optimism in times of distress. 

For example, we worked on the Evaluation of Sabreen institute's (Music For Everyone) program, supported by NRO, among other educational and cultural institutes and programs evaluations.