Education and Resilience in Conflict- and Insecurity-Affected Northern Uganda

This paper explores the relationship between conflict, education and the intergenerational transmission of poverty in Northern Uganda using a Q-squared approach, which combines and sequences qualitative and quantitative approaches. The focus is on whether people with education have greater resilience than those without during and following periods of conflict and insecurity. Findings include that conflict in Northern Uganda has resulted in chronic and intergenerational poverty, and that education supports resilience during and following periods of conflict and insecurity – it is a “portable asset” of great value. The paper presents evidence from a number of first-hand accounts and concludes that education should be supported by governments and donors during and post-conflict. This will support resilience during conflict, limiting the poverty impact of conflict on households and enabling a speedier post-conflict recovery