On 3 May, Denmark became the 64th state to endorse the declaration. Their endorsement unites all the Nordic countries behind the declaration’s six commitments and the goal to strengthen, in practice, the protection of civilians in armed conflict.
The Safe Schools Declaration has now been endorsed by a majority of NATO, European Union and Council of Europe member states as well as a growing number of states in all global regions.
Denmark’s endorsement follows the successful conclusion of the Second International Safe Schools Conference, hosted by Argentina in Buenos Aires in March.
“We warmly welcome Denmark’s endorsement, and hope the momentum created by the conference in Buenos Aires will encourage other states to support the efforts to make schools safe for all, even in times of war”, says Hans Brattskar, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Norway to the United Nations and other International Organizations in Geneva.
The procedure for endorsing the Safe Schools Declaration is to send a letter confirming the endorsement, signed by a government official, addressed to a duty station (Embassy or Permanent Mission) of the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, or directly to the Norwegian Ministry’s Section for Humanitarian Affairs (To: seksjon.for.humanitaere.sporsmal@mfa.no).