In keeping with its mission to extend assistance to Asia, Reach Out to Asia, under Education Above All (EAA) Foundation, kicked off its three-day Partners Advocacy Conference at the Student Centre of Hamad Bin Khalifa University in Education City.
Reflecting on ROTA’s mission, the Partners Advocacy Conference is an opportunity to promote sustainable education through intellectual debates, and to facilitate practical and academic discussions, exchange ideas, and agree on a unified advocacy path with international partners towards a more sustainable education for children.
In order to reach out to as many regions as possible, ROTA has been teaming up with various organisations. Some of the participating countries and organisations include Care Foundation / International Non-Governmental Organisation (INGO), Hashoo Foundation from Pakistan; UNICEF, Dhaka Ahsania Mission (DAM), GOVE from Bangladesh, Nepal, Philippines, Turkey and Indonesia; UNICEF, Titian Foundation, READ INGO, Dalit NGO Federation, Forum for Awareness and Youth Activity (FAYA), PLAN International Sudan; Mercy Corps INGO from Tunisia; Norwegian Council RC INGO from Jordan; Anera, Sonbola, American University in Beirut (AUB) from Lebanon; and FC Barcelona, among others.
ROTA Programme Executive Director Essa Al Mannai, in his welcome address said that the expectations for human rights, respect and dignity are rising, especially as the world (population) gets younger. Technology and globalisation, he said, make societies more connected than ever, but intolerance and conflict remain widespread. Prospects for a sustainable, equitable and inclusive development are vast, but challenges are sharp and complex.
The world is changing – education adapt itself and must also change. That’s the core objective of hosting this summit and we are sure that the ROTA Partners Advocacy Conference would be able to bring to life the burning issues that society is facing. I am extremely elated to see participation of organisations from many countries, a clear sign that the conference will result in fruitful outcomes.’
During the first day of the conference, partners had shed light on subjects such as the global Advocacy Landscape on education and the need to achieve the goals of sustainable development.
UNICEF Regional Office Representative Juliette Touma said that the aim of their partnership with EAA is to jointly reduce the number of out-of-school children and ensure they receive quality education.
A remarkable change was made at this level – taking the efforts to support the Syrian refugee children into consideration – however much more work is still waiting, and we hope our partnership with EAA Foundation and the rest of the partners will lead to further progress.’
ROTA Partners Advocacy Conference is intended as an initial step towards the road to transformative education, focused on a consultative, participatory approach.
Check their respective pages online for more details about ROTA and EAA Foundation.