Educational inequality remains one of the most pervasive and destabilizing forces in the contemporary world. When access to quality education is determined by geography, wealth, gender, or political circumstance, entire populations are denied the ability to participate fully in social, economic, and civic life. This disparity perpetuates cycles of poverty, limits social mobility, and undermines democratic institutions. For millions of young people—particularly those in conflict-affected regions—schools are not only under-resourced but also unsafe, restricted, or systematically targeted. Such structural inequity represents not only a failure of public policy but a profound violation of human dignity.

The consequences of this inequality extend far beyond educational outcomes. When young people lack access to knowledge, skills, and opportunities, societies become more vulnerable to extremism, social fragmentation, and generational cycles of violence. Educational exclusion fuels resentment, empowers demagogues, and creates environments where misinformation and polarization thrive.

At the Europe Peace Foundation, we affirm that equitable and safe education is not merely a developmental goal—it is a cornerstone of peacebuilding. Ensuring universal, quality education is one of the most effective long-term investments a society can make to prevent conflict and cultivate cultures of cooperation, justice, and non-violence.