He backed a call for more funding for education in emergencies, led by the UN Global Fund Education cannot wait (ECW), the UN chief insisted in a video message that no one should be denied the chance to learn.
A full 222 million children are poorly educated today, noted Mr. Guterres. Help them, 18 countries and private partners pledged $826 Millions for ECW on opening day of landmark conference.
Education, a fundamental right
“No matter who you are, no matter where you live, no matter what barriers you face, you have the right to quality education‘ he said in a call for greater international efforts to ensure more vulnerable children and young people get their chance to succeed.
submitting his comments to the Education cannot wait High-level funding conference in Genevathe Secretary-General welcomed the Fund since its inception in 2017 trained 87,000 teachers and gave seven million children in the crisis “the education they deserve“.
As Commitments from 18 countries and the private sector exceeded $826 million on the first day of the congress, UN Special Envoy for Global Learning and Chair of the ECW High Level Steering Group, Gordon Brownwelcomed the international support for learning for all how an investment in sustainable peace.
“We’re talking about the world’s most isolated, desolate, neglected children. We’re talking about girls who are trafficked or forced into child labor or child marriage unless we can help them,” he continued.
Somaya Faruqi (center) works with students at Missouri University of Science and Technology to build a robot.
Afghanistan: Textbook desperation
With her own painful story of education in the crisis in Afghanistan, Somaya Faruqi explained that many of her “sisters” were left behind when the Taliban fled the country in August 2021.
Her friends can’t study now after being banned from classes by the de facto authorities, said Faruqi, 20, who keeps in touch with them and works as a women’s rights activist to raise awareness of their plight.
“The situation is far worse than what you can see on the news and social media,” she told UN News. “Every day I get messages from my friends They are forced to marry regardless of their age or consent.”
heavy responsibility
She added: “I feel a deep sense of responsibility to support my sisters who are still in Afghanistan. I keep in touch with them every day, even though their situation is not good.
“I listen to their stories, offer words of encouragement, and help connect them with resources when I can. It’s heartbreaking to see the struggles they face, but it’s just that strengthens my determination to fight for their rights and to help build a better future for all Afghan women.”
digital ambition
Ms. Faruqi, originally from Herat in western Afghanistan, is now studying mechanical engineering at Missouri University of Science and Technology in the United States.
Her interest in fixing things stemmed from helping her father fix cars, which sparked her interest in robotics Captain of the Afghan Girls Robotics Team.
Bright future dashed
“We wanted to build the first robotics company in Afghanistan. Unfortunately, when the situation changed,” she said. “Now we can see the actual situation in Afghanistan (the Taliban) don’t appreciate what we have and what we have achieved in 20 years.”
Today, Somaya says she shared many happy memories of growing up in Afghanistan, but is deeply saddened by how the de facto authorities “took everything from us.”
Through thick and thin
Before the August 2021 coup, “Afghanistan was a place I called home,” she explained, “where I could pursue my dreams and contribute to the development of my community. But since the Taliban took control, the situation has become dire and my heart aches for the suffering of those trapped there.”
The morning started out happily “with a sense of excitement and purpose, knowing that I was going to school that day,” Somaya told UN News. “For me, school was not just a place to learn, it was a sanctuary where I could be myself, make friends and dream big. I enjoyed the opportunity to learn new things and every day felt like a precious gift.
“But beyond that, school was where I made the most meaningful connections of my life – with my friends who shared my passion for knowledge and growth. We laughed together, cried together and carried each other through thick and thin. Being with them made me feel whole, alive and free.
“When I look back on those days now, My heart swells with gratitude and nostalgia for these precious moments. I know not all girls have the same opportunities as me and it breaks my heart.
“Going to school and spending time with friends should not be a privilege, it should be a fundamental right. I will always cherish those memories and working to create a world where every girl has a chance to experience the same magic that I have experienced.”
