“One Desk. Two Marks”: Campaign on the impact of war on education reaches more than 31 million people in 32 countries

In its first year, the global campaign “Every Generation Leaves Its Mark. Education Shapes Its Legacy” reached more than 31 million people in 32 countries. One of its central symbols is the “One Desk. Two Marks” installation, which has travelled internationally to draw attention to the impact of Russia’s aggression on education in Ukraine and highlight the role of learning in shaping the future.

The installation has been presented at several international venues, including the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe in Strasbourg, the Palais des Nations in Geneva, the UNESCO Headquarters in Paris, the Sorbonne, and the International Forum of Cultural Diplomacy in Kyiv. Each venue has provided an opportunity to speak about children’s right to education during wartime and the international community’s responsibility to protect it.

The installation consists of a school desk and a blackboard, each divided into two halves. One, damaged by war, symbolises the destruction inflicted on Ukrainian education by Russia’s aggression. The other remains intact, representing the opportunities education creates and a future in which every child can learn in safety.

It is particularly meaningful that the installation has travelled to international humanitarian, diplomatic and educational venues. It serves as a reminder that war destroys not only buildings, but also the normal experience of childhood, disrupts learning and deprives children of a sense of security. Education, meanwhile, helps preserve knowledge and human dignity, while creating opportunities to build a peaceful future.

The campaign was developed by the Summit of First Ladies and Gentlemen Global Platform in partnership with creative agency Banda and UNICEF. The installation was first presented at the Fifth Summit of First Ladies and Gentlemen in Kyiv in September 2025. Its international journey is organised by Ukraine’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The campaign continues. Find out more about its concept, the installation and its international journey on the campaign page.