September 14, 2023 (New York, USA) – Yesterday, Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, Chairperson of Education Above All Foundation (EAA), and UN Secretary-General (UNSG) António Guterres marked the 4th observance of the International Day to Protect Education from Attack alongside global leaders, celebrities, educators, and survivors of attacks on education.
The high-level event took place at the UN Headquarters in New York (ECOSOC Chamber), and included H.E. Mr António Guterres, UN Secretary-General; Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, Chairperson of EAA Foundation; H.E. Mr Julius Maada Wonie Bio, President of Sierra Leone; moderator Ms Melissa Fleming, UN Under-Secretary-General for Global
Communications; UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador, Ms. Sofia Carson; Brother Peter Mokaya Tabichi, a Kenyan teacher and Global Teacher Prize Winner 2019; and Ms Diya Nijhowne, Executive Director of Global Coalition to Protect Education from Attack.
The UN in partnership with EAA Foundation announced a new Youth Advisory Group to Protect Education from Attack (YAGPEA). This diverse group of young people will advise the UN, global decision-makers to ensure that those directly impacted by attacks on education can influence policies and decisions designed to protect education in times of conflict and crisis. EAA Foundation will support these youth members to ensure that young people are at the heart of advocacy and action, and to provide young people around the world with a platform to raise their voices.
The participants shared insights that can strengthen justice for victims of attacks on education, and reflected on new data which this week revealed an unprecedented 17% increase in conflict-related attacks on schools and education centers in 2022.
Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, Chairperson of EAA Foundation and UN SDG
Advocate, said: “The victims of conflict, whether in warzones or forced to be refugees, retain their human rights, and we must not forget them. We have a responsibility to ensure education, a fundamental human right, is accessible. Schools and universities should be places of learning and development. They should be places where dreams are realised, not destroyed. We must do all in our power to protect and prioritise education.” Commemorating International Day to Protect Education From Attack, EAA Foundation yesterday highlighted other exciting developments including the launch of a new Youth Empowerment System (“YES”) microsite, in partnership with OHCHR and Silatech; and an exhibition hosted at the UN Headquarters, “Unbreakable Dreams: Protecting Education in Times of Conflict” – bringing to life the experiences of survivors of attacks on education around the world. There are also events and exhibitions taking place around the world, including at the UN Palais des Nations in Geneva, across Doha, Qatar, and in conflict-affected communities. Mrs Stefania Giannini, UNESCO Assistant Director- General: ”Young people often bear the
burden of physical and psychological impacts of attacks on education. To make their voices heard and reflected in decision-making processes, UNESCO, together with the State of Qatar and Education Above All, are setting up a Youth Advisory Group. This initiative will provide young people from conflict and crisis-affected communities a global platform to share their
suggestions for critical actions to protect education from attack.”
Sofia Carson American Actress-singer and UNICEF USA Goodwill ambassador ended the impactful day with a resounding call for action to global leaders, decision-makers and all stakeholders to keep the 244 million children globally who live in terror and fear for their lives within the halls of their schools in mind; she called upon everyone to unite and take a vow–Today we vow to protect the right to education
About the Education Above All (EAA) Foundation
The Education Above All (EAA) Foundation is a global foundation established in 2012 by Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser. EAA aims to transform lives through education. We believe that education is the single most effective means of reducing poverty, creating peaceful and just societies, unlocking the full potential of every child and youth, and creating the right conditions to achieve Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Through our multi-sectoral approach, unique financing models, focus on innovation as a tool for social good, and partnerships, we aim to bring hope and real opportunities to the lives of impoverished and marginalised boys and girls.
EAA Foundation is comprised of the following programmes: Educate A Child (EAC), Al Fakhoora, Reach Out To Asia (ROTA), Protect Education in Insecurity and Conflict (PEIC), Innovation Development (ID) and Together project. International Day to Protect Education from Attack The International Day to Protect Education from Attack was first commemorated on 9
September 2020 and was established by a unanimous decision of the UN General Assembly
(A/RES/74/275), as a result of advocacy by EAA Foundation and its partners. Attacks on education are any intentional threat or use of force – carried out for political, military, ideological, sectarian, ethnic, or religious reasons – against students, educators, and educational institutions.
[1] The International Day to Protect Education from Attack is a critical moment to reflect on what more can be done to ensure that schools are a safe space where learners and
teachers are protected from threats and crises, especially since around the world, reports of attacks on students, schools and universities continue daily.