Chairperson of the Education Above All Foundation, H H Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, meeting with President of France, Emmanuel Macron, at the Élysée Palace, in Paris yesterday.
Doha: Chairperson of the Education Above All Foundation (EAA) and UN Sustainable Development Goals Advocate, H H Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, yesterday called on leaders of industry and government to place education at the heart of human development agenda.
She was addressing a high-level meeting organised by EAA in partnership with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco).
The meeting themed, “Connecting the SDGs: The Key Role of Education” was held at the Unesco headquarters in Paris. Co-hosted with Director-General of Unesco, Audrey Azoulay, the session explored ways of tackling the growing education crisis, which is holding back 63 million primary-aged children worldwide and threatening economic development.
In her speech, H H Sheikha Moza called on governments to respect the right of every child to get education, whether in peacetime or in war and to stop playing political games with education, QNA reported.
She said, “I first stood before the United Nations 15 years ago to express my support for our shared vision: to provide quality education to children everywhere. I have come here today to tell you that this shared vision is now a real possibility”.
Sheikha Moza said referenced updated estimates show that over 63 million children still out of school, which may seem as an obstacle that may not be overcome.
In this regard, she added, “I have come here today to tell you that if more champions of education stand up, these problems can be overcome.”
“As the world grapples with crises, I have come here today to tell you that if we want to counter the ramifications of crises, education must become our first priority. If we wish for peace and prosperity for all, we must ensure education for all,” H H Sheikha Moza added.
H H Sheikha Moza bint Nasser met with Qatari students studying in undergraduate and graduate programmes in France. Pic: A R Al Baker
“I think we would all agree that education is a human right. And as a human right, education should be above all and certainly above politics. But sadly, this is often not the case. During the current siege against Qatar, for example, many Qatari students who were enrolled in schools in the blockading countries were expelled including students studying at Sorbonne’s Middle East campus. But the blockading states, with their irresponsible acts and reckless ruthless games, did not stop there,” she said.
“To cite one example, our programs in Yemen, both education and employment initiatives, were indefinitely postponed last year halted because of their politique,” Sheikha Moza said.
She added that she visited Yemen ago to see Qatar’s programmes, which help employ the Yemeni youth.
“Yemen is a land of civilisation, has people with beautiful minds, and great potential. This vindictive act of halting these programmes hurts the children of Yemen and jeopardises the nations future. Worse, if humanitarian aid is not immediately allowed, more and more people in Yemen will starve. This is just one tragic example of crisis in the world. Extremism thrives in environments characterised by hopelessness, frustration and despair, so finding ways to provide hope and opportunity should be a major priority,” Her Highness said.
“If new sponsors join the cause and replicate our model, I believe that together, we can educate all 63 million children. We can do this. It is possible. After all, we now know the formula: Dedicated partnerships using multi-sectoral solutions, fostered by strong political commitments. And we know that it works. We know that quality Education impacts development well beyond the walls of the classroom,” she added.
Her Highness explained: “We know that quality education impacts development well beyond the walls of the classroom. Which is why multi-sectoral solutions have been so critical to achieving quick, on-the-ground results and long-lasting impact”.
She added “In Mali, for instance, we collaborated with thirteen partners from different sectors to construct schools with proper hygiene facilities, build ramps for handicapped children, and help parents send their girls, as well as their boys, to school. We saw, first hand, how an education initiative drove development. So today I am inviting new partners to join us in this noble cause because I believe that if we can succeed in replicating this multi-sectoral model, we can actually achieve all of the UNs Sustainable Development Goals. Education is that powerful.”
Her Highness said “My friends, we have accomplished a lot with this multi-sectoral approach. But there is still much to be done, which is why we need political commitments.”
Her Highness noted: “We need each person to think of educating out-of-school children as a personal challenge, as their cause. If you are a sanitation company, If you build roads, If you provide clean water, If you supply electricity, If you specialise in nutrition, We need you to be a partner in educating children around the world. Scaling up this multi-sectoral solution will require thoughtful leadership and effective coordination”.
“France can take on this role through its unique position at UNESCO. We are looking to you for this leadership, and we are here to help multiply the results. For my part, I have committed myself to striving, without end, to ensure quality education for all, above all,” H H Sheikha Moza concluded.
