The State of Qatar has been a staunch advocate of protecting right to education around the world, particularly in conflict zones. The Education Above All Foundation, Qatar Fund for Development and other entities have partnered to promote and protect education around the globe. Education is key for sustainable development and to address a myriad of challenges facing many societies, and therefore it is of utmost importance that the right of every person to attain education is protected and ensured. As Israel’s brutal war on the Gaza Strip continues unabated, the education sector in the Palestinian territory has been particularly hit hard by the conflict. Schools and other education and cultural centres have been directly targeted by the Israeli war machine. Hundreds have also been killed in direct strikes on school buildings which have now been turned into shelters for the displaced. United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said Tuesday that Gaza had become “a killing field” because Israel has continued to block aid. Amid its efforts to broker a ceasefire and ensure delivery of humanitarian aid, Qatar has also advocated for the Palestinian children’s right to education. This week, Qatar once again called for concerted efforts to protect the right to education in multiple regions across the globe, reiterating its condemnation of the Israeli occupation’s targeting of educational and cultural institutions in Palestine. Speaking at the 221st session of Unesco Executive Board, Qatar’s Permanent Representative to the UN agency H E Dr. Nasser bin Hamad Al Hanzab asserted that safeguarding the right to education in any region is the primary step toward building peace and stability. He underscored Qatar’s enduring commitment to humanitarian and development action to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), stemming from its vision aimed at building more stable and just societies where education remains available for all in all territories around the globe. The global community must make joint efforts to protect right to education in Gaza and everywhere around the world.
