The Emirates Diplomatic Academy, EDA, has hosted a panel discussion titled ‘Improving Education for Children in Emergencies’, shedding light on the importance of addressing one of the world’s most pressing problems – sustainable access to education in challenging times.

The event was held as part of an ongoing initiative, Humanitarian Week, running from 19 to 23 November, that aims to raise awareness about the importance of supporting humanitarian work, particularly in the education sector.

The event, hosted at the premises of the EDA included an introduction by the Academy’s Director General Bernardino Leon and a keynote speech by Mark Lowcock, United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator.

The keynote speech was followed by a panel which was attended by Ambassador Abdullah Yahya Al-Mu'alimi, Permanent Representative of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to the United Nations, Maqsoud Kruse, Executive Director of Hedayah, The International Center of Excellence for Countering Violent Extremism, Sophie Barbey, Head of Office of the International Committee of the Red Cross, ICRC, in the UAE, Toby Harward, Head of Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, UNHCR, in the UAE, and Rashed Al Dhaheri, Acting Executive Director of the Minister of State Office.

In his opening remarks, Leon said, "A lack of education can have detrimental political and socio-economic effects on the future of our world. It is crucial that we continue to seek solutions and shed a light on this challenge. By hosting such events at the Academy, we seek to also ensure that our future diplomats are equipped with the necessary information and tools to continue this fight for human progress."