QNA
New York
Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict (CAAC) Virginia Gamba has underlined that Qatar is the best partner of the United Nations in terms of providing protection for children in conflict zones, preventing violations against them, and better reintegrating them into society.
In an interview with Qatar News Agency (QNA), Gamba said that the State of Qatar is among the major supporters of the United Nations programs to respond to the needs of children around the world, especially with regard to children’s rights and providing quality education to children and youth most in need.
In this context, she referred to Qatar’s prominent role and humanitarian initiatives in implementing the goals of the United Nations with regard to achieving development, security, peace and stability for the good of humanity; expressing her deep gratitude to Qatar Fund for Development (QFFD) which provided significant support and mobilized all its capabilities in order to serve the UN goals.
The UN Special Representative highlighted Qatar’s focus on education in its support for the programs of the Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict; noting that the two sides are currently working on a joint project to launch a training guide for teachers on how to educate children after the end of the war and how to reintegrate them peacefully and securely into the society.
She emphasized that Qatar’s hosting of the Analysis and Outreach Hub of the Office of the Special Representative is the best evidence of the solid relations between Qatar and the United Nations, especially with regard to enhancing the protection of children affected by armed conflict; noting that the Hub works closely with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), and the UNESCO Doha Office to implement joint projects, in addition to supporting Qatar’s regional efforts to protect children in conflict zones and prevent their use in armed conflicts.
Gamba noted that the Analysis and Outreach Hub in Doha is the only office established outside New York, and has an important role in deepening understanding of the needs of children emerging from conflict or at risk of conflict. “In addition to the educational components that we are working on with UNESCO, we also support regional operations and fully support analysis and research on issues related to displaced children and children separated from their families as a result of the conflict,” she added.
The UN Special Representative applauded the efforts of the State of Qatar in providing a safe learning environment in humanitarian emergencies and protecting education from attacks; noting that the United Nations General Assembly adopted the resolution submitted by Qatar declaring September 9th as International Day to Protect Education from Attacks, driven by the initiative of HH Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, the Chairperson of Qatar Foundation and Advocate for the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
She pointed out that HH Sheikha Moza also launched an initiative to establish a fund to support higher education in Iraq in coordination with UNESCO, in addition to the Education Above All Foundation which also works in cooperation with UNESCO to provide educational opportunities for the most marginalized children and youth around the world.
Virginia Gamba said that Qatar carries a message to humanity that “we all have something in common... We are all human... All people on this planet have the right to development, and all children on this planet have the right to receive the best education.”
