The Association for the Advancement of International Education (AAIE) is the oldest and premier professional organization of international schools throughout the world.  We are apolitical and focused solely on our mission of achieving “excellence and innovation in education by creating a dynamic, global community.”  It is our belief that children educated in schools represented by AAIE represent our greatest hope for resolving the many global issues facing us.  Students in international schools learn the concepts, skills and attitudes that will be essential in the years ahead if we are to have any hope of resolving current and future global crises.

AAIE is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and there are IRS regulations that limit political and/or legislative involvement.  However, in light of a disturbing trend in recent times, the membership of the Association for the Advancement of International Education expresses its sorrow and outrage over acts of violence and war through which the sanctity of schools, international and other, has been violated by individuals, groups and governments.  These acts of hatred and immorality have brought tragedy and despair to the lives of so many innocent children.

As an association dedicated to education and the welfare and the future of children, we may not understand the full range of reasons underlying all the conflicts which ravage our world today, but we do know, as does the entire civilized world, precisely what happens when schools are destroyed and children are deprived of schooling.  It is unconscionable that a government or group, for whatever reason, should choose to destroy a school or place children in any school in harm’s way.  Such despicable acts contravene the essence of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.  As such, we believe the destruction of a school qualifies as a crime against humanity.  Those who commit such crimes should and must be held accountable.

Children are not the cause nor should they be the victims of political or regional conflicts.  Absolutely and without exception, schools must be out of bounds for any acts of violence.  It is only through educating our children that we can hope to resolve the conflicts that plague us today and the challenges that will confront us in the years ahead.  To those who destroy schools on their own misguided paths toward what they hope will be a better world for their people, we ask: how is this to be achieved if schools, the very places where hope for the future is nurtured, are destroyed?

We implore all governments and global organizations to recognize the innocence of children, to respect the rights of all children to receive an education—as called for in Article 26 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights--and to honor the value that all schools, but international schools in particular, bring to our global society.  AAIE further implores all governments to take all precautions to protect schools from the ravages of war.  No military or political objective can override the sanctity of schools and the precious hope of children who, through the education they receive in school, carry the hopes of the civilized world on their young shoulders.

Thank you for reflecting on our message and accepting the responsibility we all share in ensuring that our children will grow and learn in peace.

Sincerely Yours,

Edward Greene                                                                                     Elsa Lamb

President                                                                                              Executive Director