Education Above All Foundation organised a high-level virtual event on the sidelines of the first International Day for Protection of Education from Attack.
The event was hosted in association with the Ministry of Education and Higher Education, the Qatar National Commission for Education, Culture and Science, Regulatory Authority for Charitable Activities, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco), the United Nations Children's Fund (Unicef) and Qatar Fund for Development (QFFD).
HE the Minister of Education and Higher Education Dr Mohamed Abdul Wahed Ali al-Hammadi, HE the Minister of Administrative Development, Labour & Social Affairs Yousuf Mohamed al-Othman Fakhroo and QFFD director general Khalifa bin Jassem al-Kuwari participated in the event.
The speakers stressed the role of Qatar in supporting education issues and its commitment to making education available to millions of underprivileged children, achieving peace, development and protecting human rights.
This year marks the first International Day for Protection of Education from Attack, following a unanimous resolution passed by the United Nations General Assembly in May.
The day calls attention to the plight of children affected by armed conflict and natural disaster in desperate need of educational support and puts attacks on education at the top of the international agenda. The day was adopted by consensus after intense consultations led by the delegation of Qatar to the United Nations. Efforts to introduce the day were spearheaded by Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser as part of a decades-long commitment to protecting education in conflict and insecurity and ensuring children in developing countries can realise their fundamental right to education.
HE Dr al-Hammadi said: "Organising the first International Day for Protection of Education from Attack, in recognition of the leadership role of Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser is in support of education issues around the world. This is in response to the initiative called for by Her Highness and adopted by the UN General Assembly by consensus in establishing September 9 each year as an annual platform for the international community to review the commitment to the mechanisms to protect education from attacks. Qatar is committed to providing quality education to millions of children who have lost their right to education due to conflicts, wars and natural disasters around the world."
HE Fakhro noted: "For decades, wars have destroyed many of the rights and dreams of people, which have created generations deprived of the simplest elements of life, and left many victims and heavy consequences for states and societies, from which only the focus on the human person can be restored through education and knowledge".
Al-Kuwari observed that QFFD has several contributions to support the access of quality education and safe and equitable in emergencies and conflict zones in various aspects such as support for formal and informal education, book printing, distribution and training technical and vocational training, scholarships, restoration and reconstruction of schools and universities in addition to psychological and social support.
Two panel discussion also were held on the occasion on “Youth challenges and perspectives on the future of education" and "Opportunities and the Way Forward."
