Qatar is yet again on the world stage playing its indispensable role in charting a long-lasting solution for a crisis, which has affected every nook and corner of the globe without any discrimination.
H H Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, UN Sustainable Development Goals Advocate, Chairperson of Education Above All and Silatech, joined prominent leaders in a global advocacy effort, ‘Rise for All’. Their combined action will support the UN Secretary-General’s call for solidarity and urgent action in response to the socio-economic impacts of COVID-19 and to save lives and protect livelihoods, urging leaders around the world to address the human crisis of the pandemic.
The group of woman leaders from across the world was convened UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed to gather international support and political commitment to “build back better” and to ensure people have access to essential services and social protection, including support for the UN COVID-19 Response and Recovery Fund, a mechanism to help alleviate the difficulties facing the low-and middle-income countries and people, who are suffering economic hardships and social disruption as a result of the pandemic.
H H Sheikha Moza said in a very thoughtful message: “Before COVID-19, our world was already contending with other pandemics. They are called poverty, hunger, unemployment, illiteracy, war and conflict. COVID-19 is exacerbating these current predicaments exponentially. We cannot turn a blind eye from the long-term consequences that will likely imprint in our children and youth.”
These words, though few, are enough to prove the farsightedness and vision of H H Sheikha Moza, who always looks at the future and foresee the probable situation and difficulties lying far off. There are telling examples for this thought process, such as Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Technology and its affiliated institutions in Qatar, the Education Above All, Silatech etc, which have drawn praise from around the world for their roles in making lives of the margninalised people prosper the world over.
H H Sheikha Moza is seeing an opportunity even in this pandemic as Her Highness said: “Let’s not waste this moment in time to merely react to combat COVID-19. Instead of working from fear, we must take this opportunity to narrow the digital gap and bring innovative solutions to our children and youth”. Yes, this is no time to weep and wail, but to look at the future and try our level best to turn this malady into an opportunity by making maximum use of modern technology and training others to use it. Let us join this call of a true leader who, realising the indomitable power of education, champions and channelise all the energy and resources to promote education and thus make the world a better place to live in peacefully.
