HH Sheikha Moza makes case for fundamental rights to education at MDG Advocates Group Meeting

Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser today spoke at a Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) Advocacy Group Meeting during the 69th UN General Assembly to align resources to transform the lives of millions of children.

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon called for an end to the unfinished business of the MDGs and welcomed the international partners and MDG Advocates to the high-level event to discuss the challenges and opportunities of the achieving MDGs to deliver a healthier, equitable and more sustainable future.

In her remarks, Her Highness re-confirmed her commitment to push for universal primary education for all; “When the Secretary-General entrusted me with this mission, I was inspired to do what I could, to offer a chance to the 58 million out of school children across the world.”

Marginalised children affected by conflict and crisis are a long-standing priority for Her Highness. She spoke of the hope she witnessed in visiting a number of projects which are supported by Educate A Child, an initiative launched in 2012 which has already committed support to 2.5 million children in 33 countries. The programme works with local communities to overcome barriers to education and develops solutions which can be scaled up and replicated. The goal is to support 10 million children into school by the end of the 2015-2016 school year.

In her closing remarks, Her Highness argued that that basic education is key to overcoming other development challenges and called for international support; “We know that basic education, improves health outcomes, reduces involvement in conflict, enhances employment and can benefit countries’ GDP. With sufficient increases in funding and enough commitment, we could make the issue of out of school children a thing of the past. Yet, until universal primary education is achieved, out-of-school children will be an unforgivable underinvestment in human capital – a costly barrier preventing nations from reaching their full economic and social potential.”

Her Highness also contributed to the MDG Advocates’ Leaders Report which was launched today. Entitled “Accelerating Action: Global Leaders on Challenges and Opportunities for MDG Achievement”, the Leaders Report is authored by 37 world leaders looking at successful policies and interventions championed by governments and partners to drive progress on the MDGs, as well as obstacles faced and actions taken to overcome them.

Opening remarks were provided by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon. Other speakers included H.E. Prime Minister Erna Solberg of Norway, H.E. President Paul Kagame of Rwanda and other MDG Advocates, Graça Machel, Ray Chambers, Ted Turner, Professor Muhammad Yunus, Professor Jeffrey Sachs, Stine Bosse, Philippe Douste-Blazy, and Ambassador Dho Young-shim. The event also included the participation of Roll Back Malaria Executive Director Dr. Fatoumata Nafo-Traoré, South African singer and RBM Goodwill Ambassador Yvonne Chaka Chaka, and Gordon Brown. UN Deputy Secretary-General Jan Eliasson delivered closing remarks.

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon in June 2010 established the MDG Advocacy Group of eminent personalities who have shown outstanding leadership in promoting the implementation of the MDGs, in such fields as education, food security, health, environment, and the empowerment of women. The Group supports the Secretary-General in building political will and mobilizing global action for the benefit of the poor and most vulnerable, aiming for the achievement of the MDGs by the 2015 target date.