The Education Above All Foundation (EAA) and its strategic partner Qatar Fund For Development (QFFD), held a ministerial roundtable discussion as part of the ongoing Fifth United Nations Conference on Least Developed Countries (LDC5). The session titled "Out of School Children: Linking across Sectors for Success", tackled a range of education-related issues with the participation of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs and Education of eight LDCs.
The goals of EAA coincides with the Doha Programme of Action for the Least Developed Countries for the Decade 2022-2031 adopted by the United Nations Conference on the Least Developed Countries, and endorsed by the United Nations General Assembly in April, calling on all relevant stakeholders to commit to its implementation by playing an active role in more than 60 countries around the world, in creating a global movement for human, social, and economic development through quality education and welfare programmes.
The roundtable allowed ministers to discuss their countries’ experiences and announce upcoming partnerships between the countries, EAA, and QFFD. The participants were Khalifa bin Jassim al-Kuwari, director general, QFFD; Ali al-Mansouri, from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Qatar; and Fahad al-Suliti, EAA’s CEO; Dr AK Abdul Momen, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bangladesh; Olivia Ragnaghnewende Rouamba, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation in Burkina Faso; Dr Ansu Sonii, Minister of Education in Liberia; Mallam Adamu Adamu, Minister of Education in Nigeria; Cheikh Oumar Anne, Minister of Education in Senegal; Rana Tanveer Hussain, Minister of Education in Pakistan; and Dr Marwan Awartani, Minister of Education in Palestine.
Rouamba, said: "The schools are closed because terrorists occupy this part of the territory, and the consequence is that there are more than 1,200,000 students have had to abandon school. This funding will allow the construction of schools so that these students can return to training."
Dr Sonii, noted: "Least developed countries in the 21st century of human history is not a commendation. So there's a failure to recognise what I refer to as a global village, a concept to which the world has been reduced to one entity. The solution begins with the removal of illiteracy and ignorance. "
Since its inception in 2012, the EAA has provided quality education to millions of children in various parts of the world. It has also pledged with its partners to enrol millions of marginalised people in schools, mostly in developing countries and conflict zones. It has also implemented its plans through a multi-sectoral approach and unique financing model, focusing on innovation as a tool for social good and effective partnerships. EAA funds over 2,000 educational facilities, and more than 50 projects are currently active in more than 45 countries worldwide.
