Marking the International Day to Protect Education from Attack on September 9, 2020: A Qatari initiative to raise awareness about the suffering of children affected by armed conflict, and their urgent need for educational support
International Day to Protect Education from Attack
The United Nations General Assembly in 2019 adopted a resolution to proclaim the 9th of September as an International Day to Protect the Education from Attack, a decision called for by Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, Chairperson of Education Above All Foundation and a member of the UN Sustainable Development Goals Advocates Group. The State of Qatar led it to mobilize international support to ensure accountability for the ongoing and deliberate attacks on education and armed violence children around the world are suffering from. This day will serve as an annual platform for the international community to review progress, new data, and commit to effective mechanisms to hold the perpetrators of these attacks accountable and end their impunity.
The concept note acknowledged the pioneer role of Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser and Her Highness’ advocacy for the UN Sustainable Development Goals, being a driving force behind the initiative that led to the adoption of the resolution thanks to Her Highness’s clear vision and in recognition of her efforts in the field of education at the global level.
A high-profile virtual event to mark the International Day to Protect Education from Attack
This day is being celebrated for the first time on September 9, 2020 through a high-level virtual event with the participation of Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, Chairperson of Education Above All Foundation, and His Excellency Sheikh Muhammad bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the State of Qatar. His Excellency Secretary-General of the United Nations will also participate in the event, along with senior UN officials and members of other international organizations.
This high-level event seeks to promote the International Day to Protect Education from Attack, encourage ratification and implementation of the Safe Schools Declaration, as well as highlighting the importance of monitoring attacks on education during armed conflict, and discussing the best ways in which the international community can help stimulate action against attacks on Education and ways to get involved in order to leave no one behind.
This high-level global event will be broadcasted directly on the Education Above All channel on YouTube via the following link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k4R28rRCr3w&feature=youtu.be
A page for the International Day to Protect Education from Attack has also been created on the UN website.