[C]hildren's right – in particular girls’ – to quality education in war and disasters is a vital part of protecting children during conflict. Attending school can create a sense of normality and a vision for a better future in an otherwise chaotic situation. It is therefore all the more disturbing that there were attacks on education facilities in at least 70 countries in 2009-2013. Since then it has just escalated in a number of conflicts. We must increase our efforts to uphold the right to education, even in conflict situations. … The Safe Schools Declaration expresses a commitment to protect education from attack. It merits our full consideration and we hope that it will be endorsed by as many as possible.