DOHA: Education Above All (EAA) Foundation, a leading global education institution, was a leading participant at the recent 2023 edition of the World Innovation Summit for Education (WISE) in Doha. ‘Education in Times of War’ was the theme at the EAA’s plenary at WISE 11 which featured several discussions.
The sessions aimed to achieve different objectives namely promoting global awareness for the Gaza crisis through the observance of the International Day of Solidarity with the people of Palestine, personal testimonies, factual statistics and promoting responsible reporting.
They also addressed educational recovery by upholding international humanitarian law, discussing solutions for trauma and psycho-social emotional learning, and focusing on rebuilding education in Gaza. Finally, it also explored AI’s role in promoting human rights through data accessibility and its impact on advocacy.
Athar Ahmad, a recipient of the ‘Qatar Scholarship’ from Gaza, shared her experience as a survivor of four wars, in utilising the ‘transformative’ power of education to mitigate the effects of trauma
She said, “The programme instilled in me the belief that education can work as a powerful catalyst of change. As we witness the ongoing tragedy in Gaza, we must recognise the importance of protecting education at all costs. It is a path to a better future. I urge each one of you to advocate for the right to education to ensure that the next generation in Gaza will not bear the brunt of this unending conflict,” she said.
Randa al Dawoudi, a young Palestinian, who anchored the EAA session, noted that people in Gaza are losing hope each passing day. Studying and working in Istanbul, Randa attended the summit because she wanted to be the voice of the millions of voiceless Palestinians.
Employed in the field of marketing, Randa shared that she experienced a period of depression as a result of the conflict in Gaza.
Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, Chairperson, EAA Foundation, participated in its plenary and raised global awareness for the Gaza crisis.
Furthermore, the ‘Artificial Intelligence and Access to Higher Education’ session, led by Al Fakhoora programme, examined AI’s pivotal role in providing inclusive, equitable access to higher education for marginalised communities.
EAA Foundation also exhibited the imposing Al Fakhoora House structure, a recreation of the Al Fakhoora house in Gaza, which was bombed last month. Through immersive videos, the Foundation highlighted its unwavering commitment to a future were education triumphs over adversity.
EAA Foundation also paid tribute to its impactful projects in Colombia through the Colombian Gift Shop. The space reflects a homage to traditional Wayuu village schools in Colombia, capturing the cultural essence of communities touched by EAA’s innovative work in Cartagena.
Distinguished speakers at the summit included Prof Jeffrey Sachs, UN SDG Advocate; Dr James Gordon, American author, and psychiatrist; Ameera Harouda, journalist from Gaza, Mo Amer, a Palestinian, Nealix Actor, Athar Ahmed, and Randa Al Dawoudi, Al Fakhoora students.
WISE is a global platform for innovation in education, founded in 2009 by Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development under the leadership of its chairperson, Sheikha Moza bint Nasser.
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