review of education in 21 conflict-affected contexts

Funded by the Open Society Institute
Partner: Su-Ann Oh

background to the study

This review was commissioned by the Education Support Programme (ESP), Open Society Foundation-London to provide an analysis of the Open Society Institute’s (OSI) education interventions in 21 conflict-affected contexts in view of its increasing work in such contexts. The overall aims of the review were to consolidate key insights from its network of operations, and to draw out a strategic focus for OSI and the Soros Foundations Network implementing education programmes in regions and countries outside of their traditional sphere of operation. 

OSI's education interventions in the following countries were reviewed: Albania, Angola, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Burma, Croatia, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Georgia, Kosovo, Liberia, Macedonia, Nepal, Pakistan, Serbia, South Africa, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, and Zimbabwe.

research methods

Phase 1 - Document Review: Cross-comparative analysis of 138 documents including proposals, strategy documents, and project and programme reports from local foundations and spin-off organisations in the countries under review 

Phase 2 - Interviews: Semi-structured interviews with 41 ESP, OSI, Soros Foundations Network, and spin-off staff and associates identified.  

Phase 3 - Additional field document review: Proposals, strategy outlines, reports from field offices 

research output

Oh, S., & Srivastava, P., Open Society Institute review of education in 21 countries with a focus on conflict-affected contexts. A technical report commissioned by the Open Society Foundation-London, Soros Open Society Institute, Soros Network, 2009, pp. 100. Click here and scroll down for abstract.

research objectives

1. To document past and current OSI education activities in the specified countries and:
  • highlight why particular programmes have been judged successful
  • analyse the impact of education programmes and their significance 
  • provide insights which can guide present and future practice 
2. To analyse the role and added value of OSI in education as a private foundation as against other civil society actors

3. To provide a commentary on the utility of the Inter-agency Network of Education in Emergencies (INEE) minimum standards framework as is relevant to OSI operations

research Insights

The study provided insight in a number of areas, including:
  • the evolution of OSI education strategy in and conceptualisation of conflict-affected contexts over time
  •  country case studies outlining the types education initiatives implemented in contexts (e.g. state control; state formation; failed or fragile states; post-conflict)
  • the role of OSI as a private foundation and the nature of operations for philanthropic organisations in conflict-affect contexts
  • a mapping of NGOs and donors in education across the 21 countries