HH Sheikha Moza Attends Opening Session of Educate A Child Ministerial Meeting

Doha, April 30 (QNA) - HH Shiekha Moza bint Nasser, the Chairperson of Education Above All Foundation, attended on Wednesday morning the opening session of the Second Educate A Child (EAC) High-Level Ministerial Meeting at the Education City. The opening session was attended by Wife of the King of Swaziland, Ms. Ankusikata Fujian and a number of Their Excellencies Sheikhs and Ministers, senior officials and a number of representatives of international education-related institutions and organizations. EAC is a global program of the Education Above All (EAA), an initiative of HH Sheikha Moza bint Nasser to significantly reduce the number of out of school children in different parts of the world. Education ministers and policymakers from countries with high numbers of out of school children will take part in the second EAC high-level ministerial meeting to discuss sustainable measures to accelerate action to reduce the number of children worldwide who are missing their fundamental right to education. For his part, Marcio Barbosa , CEO of Education Above All (EAA) Foundation said in an address before the opening session that Educate A Child program since in inception 18 months earlier has achieved many achievements thanks to the executives and key partners of the program and their support for the sake of the success of the program vision represented in providing access to the disadvantaged children in basic education in several countries world.   He added that what has been achieved so far is a good start we began reaping its fruit thanks to the successful partnerships as the global problems of education can not be solved on part of the executive partners , but only through alliances and partnerships with a number of companies and local and global foundations . Barbosa indicated that Educat A Child (EAC) program has managed since its launch in 20 countries to access to two million children around the world and collect one billion dollars, of which 35% only from the State of Qatar and 65%from the partners and therefore , there is a true confluence and commitment towards such an initiative.   The CEO of the EAA Foundation made clear that, thanks to the support and encouragement of Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser , the EAC has managed to achieve these achievements and still there is much work waiting for the program to achieve its noble goals for providing the right to education for the disadvantaged children . He said that the program has a great ambition for the coming years , which could provide education for 10 million children around the world by the end of the academic year 2015-2016 and this is not easy at all, and he needs to money to achieve this goal In a similar address before the opening session, HE Ambassador Dr. Ahmed bin Mohammed Almreikhi , the Director of International Development at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that by 2015, an important era in the history of international development, specifically (the Millennium Development Goals) will expire, but "Educate A Child " (EAC) program which comes as a global initiative and an international response to contribute to the completion of the achievement of the millennium development goals will ensure the continuity of raising the issue of basic education for children on the international and regional agendas. HE Almreikhi stressed that the State of Qatar and according to its National Vision 2030 has made the education issue as a fundamental corner in its national strategy and a vocal pillar for progress, and human development in the state of Qatar . He said that the state of Qatar believes that supporting education in the world is the first gateway for development and the most prominent pledge for transforming societies and bringing about the real change through which countries can overcome on disease , ignorance and poverty, so as Qatar is part of this world and would like to achieve security and stability in its land and that humanity would enjoy progress and prosperity.  The Director of International Development at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs further said that out of qatar's conviction of the importance of translating rhetoric into action , 50% of the Qatar Development Fund grants have been allocated for the benefit of the 'EAC program", a move that underscores the state's commitment to basic education as one of the most important initiatives in the field of international development. Elaborating Almreikhi said that the State of Qatar, under the wise leadership of His Highness the emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani attaches great importance to supporting education across the world where Qatar has provided several aid to more than 36 countries around the world during the past few years. He expressed deep thanks to those in charge of the program aware of children from other countries and international organizations and personalities, led by Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, calling on the international community to exert all efforts and provide the means of physical, political and legal support for the program. It is noted that Education Above All Foundation (EAA), a global initiative of Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, has launched a new website to highlight its vision to support progress and development through education. The site also provides the international community with resources to stand with EAA in the movement for education for all by uniting, empowering and funding education. Educationaboveall.org features stories, testimonials, images and videos that highlight the critical role of education in helping build prosperity, peace and support sustainable development. Working in many capacities - from advocacy to implementation to research - the three main programmes operating under the EAA umbrella are: Educate A Child (EAC): a global programme aiming to significantly reduce the numbers of out of school children (OOSC). EAC collaborates with local, national, regional and international partners across 24 countries to help ensure that every child has access to a quality primary education.(END)