One of our long-standing initiatives at the Cultures of Resistance is to support organizations dedicated to expanding access to education. We believe that education is the cornerstone of any meaningful, participatory democracy, and providing educational opportunities to those who may otherwise be excluded is essential to any pursuit of peace and social justice. Particularly in contexts where power is concentrated in the hands of the few, or where war has shaken the foundations of society and government, education fosters the critical analysis and technical skills that are needed to bring about change.
One way we support education is through funding scholarship programs. From Pakistan and Palestine to Bangladesh and the Democratic Republic of Congo, we have helped students in the global South gain access to schools and universities. As one of our most significant committments, we have partnered with The Citizens Foundation (TCF) to open a new primary school in the Gwadar district of Balochistan, near the border with Iran. Named The TCF School – Cultures of Resistance Campus, the school is completely free for students and has been operating since 2017, serving more than 100 primary school children each year.
Finally, the Cultures of Resistance Network has maintained a long-standing involvement in the international campaign to end the use of child soldiers. We have worked with leading international coalitions, as well as with musicians and writers who draw on their harrowing experiences as former child soldiers to assist others and educate the public. Despite unified international opposition to the use of child soldiers in armed conflicts, the phenomenon remains a serious problem today, particularly in Africa. We’re proud to collaborate with organizations working to address this urgent issue and to facilitate the reentry of former child soldiers into society.
[Featured image courtesy of The Citizens Foundation.]
