The context

A network of 15 organizations worldwide, created to strengthen the educational response to humanitarian crises and inequalities that keep millions of children out of school.

Today, more than 251 million children and adolescents worldwide are currently out of school, due to armed conflicts, forced displacement, protracted humanitarian crises, and structural discrimination linked to gender, ethnicity, and religion.

LEARN global network: A shared response to education in crisis

In response to this global education crisis, Mission Bambini announces the launch of LEARN, a new international collaboration network bringing together 15 organizations across Europe, Africa, Asia, and Latin America. United by a shared mission, the network works to ensure access to quality education for the most vulnerable children, even in contexts marked by emergency, instability, and fragility.

Specifically, LEARN builds on the experience developed over the years by Mission Bambini and its local partners, deeply rooted in some of the world’s most fragile contexts. These organizations have developed strong, context-specific expertise in identifying and responding to the real needs of local communities.
The network’s goal is to create a shared and structured vision, capable of addressing both humanitarian emergencies that disrupt access to education (such as war and forced displacement) and the structural barriers that, even outside conflict settings, continue to exclude millions of children from learning opportunities.

A particular focus is placed on girls’ education, as girls and young women are among those most severely affected in crisis contexts.

«Today, we are evolving from a group of partners into a coordinated global network», says Stefano Oltolini, Director General of Mission Bambini. «LEARN was created to share expertise, strengthen local capacities, and build a common response, so that no child is left behind, regardless of where they are born or the crises they face.».

Priorities for the first year

In its first year of activity, the LEARN network will focus on three main areas. First, education in emergency and post-emergency contexts, with the aim of ensuring learning continuity for children affected by humanitarian crises. Second, capacity building, promoted through training initiatives and knowledge exchange among network organizations, strengthening and valuing the expertise developed across different countries. Finally, global advocacy and awareness, with coordinated campaigns designed to bring education back to the center of the international agenda.

Voices from LEARN Partners

Sharana – Social and Development Organisation –  Pondicherry, India

«Sharana joins this partnership as a long-standing program partner, bringing its field experience while remaining committed to continuous learning, adaptation, and growth—both as an organization and as a team.
We will contribute and share our strengths where relevant, while staying open to deepening our understanding in areas that may extend beyond our usual contexts or geographies.
This collaboration reflects our shared belief in working with humility, respect, and a strong focus on community needs, together with Mission Bambini.»

Vandana Shah, Operations Director

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Brothers of Jesus the Good Shepherd – Mabilloni, Tanzania 

«We are all created for the good of others. That is why we make time for others in our lives.
We are who we are today because, at some point in our lives, someone—somewhere—was there to hold our hand and help shape who we have become.
In our own lives, we too try to be a bridge that allows others to cross safely.»

Br. Valerian McHome

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Casa dos Sonhos – Paraiba, Brasile 

«Education does not change the world. Education changes people. People change the world.»
(Paulo Freire, Brasile)

Suor Judith Gòmez

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Give a Child Hope – Kitanga, Uganda

«St. Clelia School is located in the far south-west of Uganda, the most densely populated area of the country, where poverty is widespread and regular employment is rare.
Most families survive on just one meal a day, and very few children attend school because parents cannot afford school fees.
Thanks to the support of Mission Bambini, our school is now able to provide quality education to vulnerable children and can compete with urban schools.

Finally, I would like to thank Mission Bambini once again for this new program, which will unite us through a shared experience.
May God bless you.»

Padre Marius

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MMC – Nairobi, Kenya

«We as partners need to build organizations with quality infrastructure that can tackle the tough situations that we are handling on the ground. 
The LEARN network will greatly translate the partners vision into reality by sharing the different perspective of knowledge and skills thus its necessary to have this very important coordinated global network.»

Catherine