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Four more countries sign up to safeguard schools in conflict zones

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Four more countries have signed up to international guidelines to protect schools in conflict zones, known as the Safe Schools Declaration.

Four more countries have signed up to international guidelines to protect schools in conflict zones, known as the Safe Schools Declaration.

Djibouti, Macedonia, Peru and San Marino are the latest countries on board, bringing the total to 79.

The UK signed up to the guidelines in March, closely followed by Germany.

Steven Haines, Professor of Public International Law at the University of Greenwich, drafted the guidelines.

He has been campaigning for their endorsement and welcomed the additional support received this week, following a UN Security Council open debate on children and armed conflict this week in New York.

Professor Haines said: "Education is a vital means of ensuring that societies torn apart by conflict can recover from war.  Children are the future and their schools are the key to recovery.  I was delighted that the UK signed up to support the Safe Schools Declaration earlier this year and applaud the four further countries who have endorsed it this week."

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