[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.23.4″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.23.4″ vertical_offset_tablet=”0″ horizontal_offset_tablet=”0″ z_index_tablet=”0″ text_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” text_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” text_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” link_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” link_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” link_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” ul_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” ul_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” ul_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” ol_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” ol_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” ol_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” quote_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” quote_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” quote_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_2_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_2_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_2_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_3_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_3_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_3_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_4_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_4_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_4_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_5_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_5_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_5_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_6_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_6_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_6_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” box_shadow_horizontal_tablet=”0px” box_shadow_vertical_tablet=”0px” box_shadow_blur_tablet=”40px” box_shadow_spread_tablet=”0px” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
Remarks by the President of the General Assembly,\u00a0<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n Mr. Dennis Francis,<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n on\u00a0<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n International Day of Education<\/strong><\/p>\n 24 January 2024\u00a0<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n [As delivered]<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n Video: https:\/\/youtu.be\/nvxEhQlQwnM?si=DcPMjwhRwBTJMW2g<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n Your Excellency, Martin Kimani, Permanent Representative of Kenya to the Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ, and Chair of the Group of Friends of Education,<\/em><\/p>\n Members of the Group of Friends of Education,<\/em><\/p>\n Excellencies,\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n Ladies and Gentlemen,<\/em><\/p>\n Today, we commemorate the International Day of Education under the theme, “Learning for Lasting Peace<\/strong>.\u201d<\/p>\n This theme of empowerment is both timely and befitting \u2013 as it speaks to the fundamental principles of the United Nations and its commitment to global peace and security. It is no surprise that Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵESCO should so intrinsically link education and peace, considering that this unique organization was in fact set up as a peace organization, in response to the degradation and pain of two world wars, with a mission to stimulate and promote peace and mutual respect and understanding in the minds and hearts of mankind.<\/p>\n The theme rightly recognizes that education is not a privilege \u2013 but a\u00a0fundamental human right; a<\/strong>\u00a0right that is inherent and unconditional to\u00a0all\u00a0<\/strong>human beings, in both times of peace and of conflict.<\/p>\n Excellencies<\/em>,<\/p>\n We recently celebrated the momentous milestone of the 75th<\/sup>\u00a0Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human rights, article 26 of which affirms that \u201cEveryone has the right to Education\u201d.<\/strong><\/p>\n It therefore remains a matter of deep concern that\u00a0global education statistics confirm that 250 million children and youth<\/strong>\u00a0and\u00a0763 million adults<\/strong>\u00a0are still deprived of access to education. Equally concerning is the fact that the global literacy gap continues to widen.<\/p>\n At the mid-point of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, during the September SGD Summit, conscious that progress is well below target, we recommitted to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education \u2013 and to promote lifelong learning opportunities\u00a0for all<\/strong>.<\/p>\n While appreciating that measured progress has been made, it is all the more crucial that we acknowledge and address the hurdles inhibiting the full delivery of the fundamental Right to Education to our global citizenry.<\/p>\n We must therefore use this day to reaffirm our unwavering determination to confront head-on all obstacles to the full enjoyment of this right\u00a0by<\/strong>\u00a0all<\/strong>, and in that regard, the unrestricted freedom of girls the world over to receive an education remains a paramount concern.<\/p>\n A key diagnostic is the perennial under-investment in education in relation to what is required to achieve SDG 4.<\/p>\n But we know, given the role and indeed the impact of education, that investment in education is an investment in\u00a0peace<\/strong>, in human rights, in sustainable development \u2013 and in humanity\u2019s collective\u00a0progress<\/strong>\u00a0and\u00a0prosperity<\/strong>.<\/p>\n We, therefore, urgently need better resourced education systems in all our countries to support and drive the desired transformation:<\/p>\n In short, achieving SDG 4 requires that we prioritize the creation of accessible education systems that\u00a0leave no one behind.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n Excellencies,<\/em><\/p>\n Let me close by emphasizing that here at the United Nations, our premier multilateral forum, we must elevate education to the highest possible levels \u2013 with the contribution your Group. This remains a core objective of my Presidency.<\/p>\n Let us ensure that the processes surrounding the upcoming\u00a0Summit of the Future<\/strong>\u00a0and its\u00a0Pact for the Future<\/strong>are optimized to recognize the value of empowerment through education.<\/p>\n As the former Chairman of a Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵESCO National Commission and indeed, as President of the 78th<\/sup>\u00a0Session of the United Nations General Assembly, I am particularly gratified to commend Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵESCO, for its continuing vision in fostering the transformative role of learners as agents of peace and indeed of transformation.<\/p>\n Today we must not only celebrate \u201ceducation for all\u201d, but we must also reaffirm it by mantra, as a catalyst for peace and security, sustainable development, and promotion of human rights.<\/p>\n Quite simply, education is a driver of both empowerment and Peace.<\/p>\n I thank you.<\/strong><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Remarks by the President of the General Assembly,\u00a0 Mr. Dennis Francis, on\u00a0 International Day of Education 24 January 2024\u00a0 [As delivered] Video: https:\/\/youtu.be\/nvxEhQlQwnM?si=DcPMjwhRwBTJMW2g \u00a0 Your Excellency, Martin Kimani, Permanent Representative […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":373,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[111],"tags":[414],"class_list":["post-275164","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-speeches","tag-pga","et-doesnt-have-format-content","et_post_format-et-post-format-standard"],"yoast_head":"\n\n