On Tuesday, May 19, 2026, the Center for International Studies (CIS) at Yonsei University hosted a special lecture on "Education in Emergencies" in collaboration with Save the Children.

About the Speaker

Mr. Efren Lubuguin, Asia Regional Professional Development Programme Manager for Education in Emergencies (EiE) at Save the Children International.

Lecture Overview

The lecture was organized as a follow-up program to the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed one week earlier between Yonsei University's Graduate School of International Studies and Save the Children. The MOU aims to strengthen cooperation in humanitarian assistance, children's rights, education and research, and field-based professional exchange, while laying the foundation for training the next generation of humanitarian professionals equipped to respond to the climate crisis and complex emergencies. As one of the first collaborative initiatives under this partnership, the lecture offered GSIS students an opportunity to engage with both humanitarian field expertise and broader issues in international development and global politics.

In his lecture, Mr. Lubuguin explained why education constitutes an essential component of humanitarian response in times of crisis. The presentation defined emergencies as serious disruptions to the functioning of society and examined how conflict, natural disasters, climate-related crises, epidemics, and prolonged displacement affect children's right to education and safety. He emphasized that Education in Emergencies enables structured learning to continue in times of crisis and long-term instability, thereby contributing directly to children's survival, protection, and development. The lecture also introduced key EiE issues, including the global scale of school-aged children and adolescents affected by crises, the vulnerability of out-of-school children and children with disabilities, attacks on educational facilities, the destruction of learning spaces, mental health and psychosocial support, gender equality, child participation, community-based response, digital learning, and climate resilience in education.

During the question-and-answer session, students actively participated in a lively discussion, raising thoughtful questions on the protective role of education in emergencies, educational access for refugee and migrant children, financing for the programs, and pathways in international organizations and NGOs. Through the discussion, students gained a deeper understanding of EiE as a field that extends beyond educational service delivery and is closely connected to child protection, social resilience, peacebuilding, and development cooperation. Mr. Lubuguin and representatives from Save the Children shared practical insights and professional advice drawn from their extensive field experience.

The Center for International Studies at Yonsei University and Save the Children will continue to expand their educational and research collaboration in the fields of humanitarian assistance and children's rights. In particular, in the Fall 2026 semester, a new course titled "Humanitarian Assistance in Global Politics" will be offered in collaboration with Save the Children. The course will provide students with a more systematic understanding of the intersections among global politics, humanitarian assistnace, disaster response, children's rights, and refugee protection. This special lecture served as a meaningful opportunity for Yonsei GSIS students to deepen their academic and practical engagement with pressing global humanitarian issues.

Photo caption: Poster for the Save the Children special lecture on Education in Emergencies, hosted by the Center for International Studies at Yonsei University on May 19, 2026.