Opinion | Foreign education investment is key to ending world violence

Emmaleigh Conner, senior strategic and corporate communication major

Global violence has been a threat to national security and will continue to be unless there is federal intervention. The U.S. military is responsible for protecting national security interests; however, there is a more cost-efficient way to prevent violence before it happens instead of reacting after it does. 

Last year, the Radicalisation Awareness Network (RAN) published a paper discussing radicalisation prevention and the methods in which governments can aid education systems to do so. In the essay, it was argued that education is "central to preventing young people from being attracted to violent extremist ideologies, organizations and movements." The RAN report mentions studies that were done in the European Union (EU) show that investing in education significantly decreased susceptibility to violent extremism for children in developing countries. This foundation for success can be utilized by U.S. policymakers to build a basis for federal investment in global education.

The United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism-Strategy, adopted in 2006, laid out a plan of action in preventing terrorism in all “forms and manifestations.” A part of the action plan includes an excerpt stating that the U.N. will “promote a culture of peace, justice and human development, ethnic, national and religious tolerance and respect for all religions, religious values, beliefs or cultures by establishing and encouraging, as appropriate, education and public awareness programs involving all sectors of society.” By doing so, the U.N. indicates that a key tool in terrorism prevention tactics involves education and public awareness programs. Education is so important in this day and age, and it can truly solve major world issues.

Children in developing countries have little to no access to adequate education. Foreign education investment might just be the key to preventing global organized crime, domestic violence and terrorism. In Ghana, for example, only 50% of children complete fifth grade, and those that do often have trouble reading and writing. Investing in education for children in developing countries leads to better job opportunities and a positive impact on a country’s economic growth. Knowing that poverty leads to violence, and education can reduce poverty and stabilize the economy, it's safe to assume that funding education for children in developing countries will prevent terrorist networks and organized crime.

While the future of foreign affairs is uncertain, it’s vital to continue to support these programs and acts that provide global aid. The International Affairs Budget (IAB) is a part of the U.S. budget and provides support to U.S. diplomacy and developmental programs. At just a fraction of the U.S. military budget, the IAB is a non-military investment that promotes democracy, assists in poverty reduction and combats violent extremism. Protecting federally funded international aid programs such as the IBA are important to the future of U.S. national security. As the EU and the U.N. are leading efforts in counter-terrorism, there is no reason U.S. efforts to promote this should be granted an exception. 

While these issues might seem trivial, they affect us all even if those effects won’t be visible in the short term. The dissolution of these programs will create an environment for violence, hatred and suffering around the world.