Creative to assist U.S. education efforts in crisis, post-conflict countries

Aug. 26, 2014 – Creative Associates International is one of six global development organizations selected to support the U.S. government’s efforts to provide equitable access to education for 15 million children in conflict and crisis affected countries by 2015, it was announced. (www.CreativeAssociatesInternational.com)

Called “Advancing Basic Education: Access for All,” the U.S. Agency for International Development will use the organizations for initiatives that “assess, design, implement, coordinate, monitor and evaluate education programs in crisis/conflict-affected, fragile and lawless environments,” among other activities, according to the agreement.

“Creative believes in the power of education as a driving force behind stabilization and a key instrument for laying the foundation for sustained development,” says Charito Kruvant, President and CEO of Creative. “When schools are functioning, communities have a sense that stability is returning. This reduces the attraction to violent extremist organizations and increases the population’s trust in government.”

For USAID’s Advancing Basic Education: Access for All, Creative has assembled a consortium of prestigious core partners, including International Rescue Committee, World Education, RTI and Management Systems International, as well as other specialized partners.

Jerrold Keilson, Creative’s Vice President & Senior Director of its Education Division, says the company has a successful track record of providing educational services in nearly 30 conflict and post-conflict environments since the 1980s.

“Although the challenges of conflict and crisis affected countries are unique to each, there are common elements,” says Keilson. “Creative believes that transformational change must begin with empowered communities.”

By supporting communities to expand access to safe, quality education, Keilson says it is a starting point for programs that to contribute to stabilization, political transition, meeting the physical and psychological needs of vulnerable populations and ultimately economic growth and greater prosperity.

In Yemen, for example, Creative is working in partnership with the Education Ministry to enhance early grade reading, writing, pedagogy, classroom management and more. Funded by USAID, the project has reached more than 120,000 first, second and third graders. After four months, oral reading fluency jumped dramatically.

USAID’s Advancing Basic Education: Access for All is an Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity Contract (IDIQ). USAID and its Missions will issue “task orders” under the IDIQ and the companies will compete for them.

Jane Wood, Ph.d., Creative’s Practice Area Director for Education in Crisis and Conflict Affected Environments, will manage the IDIQ. With more than 30 years of development experience in more than 50 countries, she provides strategic planning and technical guidance in education policy and systems, workforce development, early grade reading, conflict resolution, psycho-social support and more.

About Creative

Creative works with underserved communities by sharing expertise and experience in education, economic growth, governance and transitions from conflict to peace. Creative is the second-largest company owned by women that works with the U.S. government.

Based in Washington, D.C., Creative currently has programs in nearly 20 countries. Since 1977, it has worked in 85 countries and on nearly every continent. Recognized for its ability to work rapidly, flexibly and effectively in conflictive environments, Creative is committed to generating long-term sustainable solutions to complex development problems.