Geneva, September 09 (QNA) - The Permanent Mission of the State of Qatar to the United Nations Office at Geneva organized Wednesday a side event entitled "Can Education Survive Attack? The Resilience of Human Communities," in cooperation with the Education Above All (EAA) Foundation, marking the 7th International Day to Protect Education from Attack.
The event was attended by representatives of diplomatic missions, international and regional organizations, and bodies concerned with protecting education and humanitarian work, along with a number of experts and specialists in the fields of education and the protection of children in conflict situations.
In her opening remarks at the event, HE Permanent Representative of the State of Qatar to the United Nations Office in Geneva Dr. Hind Abdulrahman Al Muftah stressed that education must be protected, but protection alone is not enough, noting that education must be designed in a way that enables it to withstand attacks.
Her Excellency said the central challenge is ensuring that education continues during and after attacks through preparedness, adaptation and recovery mechanisms.
Her Excellency stressed that protecting education requires proactive systems, and that governments, humanitarian actors and development partners should invest in early warning systems, alternative learning infrastructure, distance education solutions and emergency planning before crises occur.
Her Excellency emphasized that resilience must be coupled with accountability, and while we commend the determination of affected communities, the international community must also strengthen adherence to international humanitarian law, seek justice in cases of attacks on education, and hold perpetrators accountable.
HE Director-General of the United Nations Office at Geneva Tatiana Valovaya delivered a keynote address during the event. Speakers in the panel discussion included Deputy Director of UNICEF's Office of Emergency Programs in Geneva Hazel De Wet, Head of the Thematic Legal Advisers in the Legal Division of the International Committee of the Red Cross Lindsey Cameron, Program Specialist at the UNESCO International Bureau of Education Lili Ji, and Representative of EAA Foundation Moza Al Kamali. The panel discussion was moderated by Advocacy Officer at the Global Alliance to Protect Education from Attack Isis Alves.
The event highlighted the scale of attacks on schools, universities, students and education workers, their impact on the continuity of the educational process, ways to promote compliance with the rules of international humanitarian law, support the implementation of international law and the Safe Schools Declaration, and promote accountability for serious violations targeting education.
The event also featured a video presentation that included messages from a number of senior officials and international figures, in which they stressed the importance of strengthening international efforts to protect education from attacks, safeguard schools, students and teachers, and ensure the continuity of education, especially in cases of conflict and crisis.
Following the panel discussion, a photo exhibition highlighting the impact of attacks on education was opened, along with the "Crosswalk" event as part of the #UniteToProtect campaign, which visually presents a timeline of attacks on education, to raise awareness of the importance of protecting educational institutions and ensuring the continuity of education in conflict and crisis areas. (QNA)