A high level discussion organised by the Education Above All Foundation (EAA) has explored strategies to enhance collaboration among countries, policy makers, and institutions engaged in education to accelerate progress towards the global education goal (SDG4). The virtual event was held under the theme, ‘Government and Foundation Partners Demonstrate Effective Cross-Sectoral Collaboration to Meet SDG4 and Support the 2030 Decade of Action,’ as a side event of the 75th meeting of the UN General Assembly.
Qatar’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador H E Sheikha Alya Ahmed bin Saif Al Thani, in opening remarks said, “No single strategy can solve a complex challenge such as education. The 75th anniversary of the UN is another opportunity for us to realise the right to education — especially in conflict settings. When we work together, we mustn’t forget to place the right to education on the international agenda.” The event was organised in partnership with Qatar Mission, Qatar Fund For Development (QFFD), UN Office for Partnerships and Unesco. Qatar Fund for Development Director General, Khalifa Jassim Al Kuwari, in his keynote speech, stressed that quality education cannot be provided without addressing other issues like health, poverty and child labour.
“We cannot aim to achieve access to quality education without addressing health, water and sanitation, poverty, child labour and other determinants of education. In the same token, if access to quality education is denied, other goals such as creating decent jobs, economic growth or poverty reduction will certainly not be met.
Working together to jointly find solutions that are sustainable and durable and that recognise the interdependence of people, planet and prosperity is the only path to deliver on the promise of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its SDGs,” he said. The high level discussion also featured speakers including, Unesco Assistant Director-General for Education, Stefania Giannini; UN Office for Partnerships Executive Director Annemarie Hou; and Cambodia’s Minister of Education, Youth and Sport, Dr. Hang Choun Naron. In 2017, EAA was appointed by Unesco to fill the seat at the SDG — Education 2030 S t e e r i n g C o m m i t t e e , representing foundations and organisations working to achieve the goals.
“In a time when the COVID-19 pandemic has led to the largest ever disruption of education, we must remember that education is an integral part of human capital and development, as well as a driver and outcome of sustainable development,” said EAA Communication Manager and Head of Advocacy, Mubarak Al Thani. “To achieve the 2030 Agenda, the collaborative efforts of governments and civil society partners across sectors is critical and will impact on the future of young people and countries’ development for decades to come. The session was a step in the right direction to achieve inclusive and equitable quality education for all and to fulfil targets across the SDGs,” he added.
