Thought Seminar Outcome Policy Paper Supports Sustainable Development Goal Agenda

Conducting research that develops innovative solutions to global challenges and supports policy making is a key strategic goal of higher education today.  In support of this goal, Georgetown University in Qatar (GU-Q) partnered with Education Above All Foundation (EAA) to create a policy paper on the topic of protecting education in conflict. The publication was disseminated in Geneva when Her Highness Sheikha Moza Bint Nasser, Chairperson of EAA and Qatar Foundation, and UN Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) Advocate, gave the keynote address at the Social Forum of the United Nations’ Human Rights Council on October 1st. 

H. H. Sheikha Moza Bint Nasser preceded her global advocacy on education at the 2019 United Nations General Assembly in New York with thought leadership and participation in a seminar at Georgetown University in Washington, DC entitled “The Right to Education for All – A perspective on protecting the future of education in times of disruption, conflict and insecurity.” The panel featured and included presentations by Her Highness along with fellow SDG advocate Dr. Alaa Murabit and Ambassador Melanne Verveer, executive director of the Georgetown Institute for Women, Peace, and Security, and was moderated by Dr. John J. DeGioia, president of Georgetown University.

According to the dean of GU-Q, Dr. Ahmad Dallal, who was among the invite-only guests gathered for the discussion, “We were delighted to play a role in organizing and developing the outcomes document for this important collaborative effort.  We strongly believe that engaging the powerful research and intellectual assets of universities to tackle this challenge is a critical step toward protecting education in times of conflict.” 

Dean Dallal went on to note that the findings of the policy paper highlighted the need for partnerships between non-governmental aid organizations-such as EAA who are working with partners on the ground in affected areas, universities, and policymakers to affect lasting positive change.  “With our policy and social sciences focus, GU-Q hopes to contribute to efforts to develop individuals who will go on to be policymakers for their nations both domestically and internationally. It is important to show by example that tackling these global challenges is a priority.”

The complete policy paper is available here: https://issuu.com/sfsqcomm/docs/georgetown_eaa_brochure_print