INEE A Community of Practice, a Catalyst for Change

The Inter-Agency Network for Education in Emergencies (INEE) was conceived in 2000 following the recognition that humanitarian crises are a major obstacle to the fulfilment of the global commitment to ‘Education for All’. This report tells the story of the INEE over its ten year life. It apples Social Network Analysis and the Network Functions Approach to analyse the network in its current form and proposes a number of recommendations to maintain relevance at the level of policy and practice. The network was set up as a communication mechanism for advocacy, knowledge sharing, and the distribution of materials to promote improved collaboration and effectiveness in the context of education in emergencies for the agencies involved in emergency response and post-crisis recovery. Ten years on, it has become an active global, open network of over 4,000 members from NGOs, UN agencies, donors, practitioners, researchers, and individuals from affected populations working together within a humanitarian and development framework to ensure the right to education in emergencies and post-crisis recovery. This case study aims to document and analyse the substantial changes undergone by the network since its inception in 2000. It provides a historical narrative that documents the evolution of INEE as a network, and explores its changing role over time. It also examines the structure of the network, the varying relationships that built it, and the involvement and participation of its members.