Sheikha Moza: Create space for young people to be heard

In one of the first major international education conferences since the pandemic began, 2021 WISE Global Summit brought together key figures in education to explore the most pressing challenges in education in the presence of H H Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, at the Qatar National Convention Centre (QNCC) yesterday.

The three-day 2021 WISE Global Summit being held under the theme ‘Generation Unmute: Reclaiming our Future through Education’, has gathered education leaders, youth activists, practitioners, and entrepreneurs with an aim to reset education agenda in the wake of the pandemic. 

The opening plenary session was held in the presence of H E Sheikha Hind bint Hamad Al Thani, Vice-Chairperson and CEO of Qatar Foundation, H E Sheikha Intisar Salem Al Ali Al Sabah, a social entrepreneur, philanthropist, author and film producer from Kuwait among others.

H H Sheikha Moza bint Nasser called on more than 10,000 participants of the hybrid event to create a space for young people to be heard.

“From the primary stage of basic education, curricula must be created to mould individuals and build a generation that is armed with knowledge and expertise, to allow them to participate in decision-making and contribute to solving global challenges. Indeed, our journey in establishing Qatar Foundation was founded on this belief,” said H H Sheikha Moza, addressing the Summit. 

She also highlighted the shifting meaning of wisdom in present days and said: “In our religious texts, wisdom means knowledge but popular culture conflates wisdom with age, that is no longer the case. Even early in their lives, opportunities are open for youth to access wisdom through the different forms of knowledge available to them through quality education, books, scientific and digital platforms online.” 

“Listening to young people and recognising their indispensable role in decision-making is no longer a choice; it is an imperative,” said H H Sheikha Moza. 

WISE is an initiative of Qatar Foundation, dedicated to building the future of education through innovation. As with previous editions of the Summit, this year’s WISE Prize for Education Laureate was revealed during the opening session.

“Our 2021 Laureate is an inspiring role model for all those working to build the future of education as the foundation for a more peaceful, prosperous, and sustainable world,” said Stavros N. Yiannouka, CEO of WISE. 

Wendy Kopp, founder of a network organisation that builds deep partnerships with communities committed to making long-term progress for children, walked away with the WISE 2021 Prize for Education. 

H H Sheikha Moza bint Nasser with H E Sheikha Hind bint Hamad Al Thani, Vice Chairperson and CEO of Qatar Foundation, during the 2021 WISE Global Summit at Qatar National Convention Centre, yesterday.  Pic: AR Al Baker

H H Sheikha Moza, presented the prestigious WISE Prize for Wendy Kopp, CEO and co-founder of ‘Teach For All’, during the opening plenary session of 2021 WISE Global Summit. Kopp is recognised for developing, through, the concept that meaningful education change needs leaders who are rooted in their communities and believe in delivering opportunities that all children deserve.

“We see this prize as an endorsement and recognition of our theory of change. Collective leadership is necessary to solve the most entrenched inequities in education and reshape the system so that it prepares our young people to navigate uncertainty and shape a better future. Complex problems can only be solved through the collective efforts of many, working together across all levels of the system,” said Kopp.

Since its creation in 2007, Teach For All has developed a benevolent ecosystem of collective leadership to ensure all children have an education that allows them to shape their future. Teach For All currently works with partner organisations at grassroots level in 61 countries around the world.

She said the WISE Prize will help to accelerate progress towards Teach For All vision of all children having the education, support and opportunity to shape a better future. 

The thematic plenary session ‘Generation Unmute’ held insightful talks on the importance of engaging learners into their own education and it featured H E Sheikha Intisar Salem Al Ali Al Sabah; Debora Kayembe, Rector at University of Edinburgh, Democratic Republic of Congo & UK; and Mathieu Nebra, Co-Founder of Open Classrooms, France. 

Alongside more established figures, WISE also put young people center stage at the Summit. 

Independent journalist, Mariam Al Dhuhani, who is also filmmaker, curator and educator shared her journey from Yemen to Doha and said, “The world needs to take a minute to listen. As human beings, we connect through our mutual experiences, our humanitarian sufferings, and future ambitions.”

Innovator, author, STEM promoter from the US, Gitanjali Rao, said, “Innovation and problem solving in the curriculum is a must. I can’t imagine kindness without technology and innovation.” 

Along with other discussions and activities on the second day of the Summit, six innovative WISE Awards winning projects will be celebrated during a special plenary session.