Doha, Qatar 28 November 2024 - In observance of the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People, Education Above All (EAA) Foundation, a global Foundation dedicated to ensuring inclusive, equitable access to quality education for the most marginalized and vulnerable populations, will host a special webinar titled Palestine: Education Destroyed today, 29 November 2024. The webinar will highlight the often disregarded with devastating consequences issue of Palestinians' right to education, particularly in the context of its systematic destruction by the occupying forces, underlined by a pervasive and catastrophic apathy in the broader geopolitical landscape.  

Moderated by Fairuz Yosef and Shaikha Al-Hemaidi, EAA Foundation Youth Advocate, with the special high-level participation of Ms. Francesca Albanese, United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Situation of Human Rights in the occupied Palestinian territories, the webinar is part of a continued series of thought-leadership events to shed light on the protection of the right to education. The webinar aligns with the Education Above All Foundation's mandate of ensuring inclusive access to education for marginalized populations and protecting education in regions affected by conflict and instability.

Since the onset of this conflict, Palestinian children and youth have been deprived of education for over a year in the most severe ways, a situation that will have profound, devastating, and long-term consequences for them, their families, their communities, and any viable prospects for peace in the region. More than 43,000 Palestinians have been killed since the start of the conflict and more than 12,000 students lost their lives as a result of repeated attacks on Gaza.

Furthermore, this dialogue will aim to shed light on these issues, explore potential solutions, and raise awareness to ensure legal accountability in line with international humanitarian law.

Speaking about the webinar, Maleiha Malik, Executive Director of Protect Education in Insecurity and Conflict, a programme of Education Above All Foundation, said: 'On this International Day for Solidarity with Palestinians, we are reminded that the right to education is universal, yet for too many Palestinian children and youth, this fundamental right is denied. At EAA Foundation, we stand united in amplifying their voices, raising awareness, and calling for accountability. It is through collective action and unwavering solidarity that we can ensure a future where every Palestinian child can learn, grow, and contribute to a just and lasting peace.'

The right to education was enshrined by the United Nations in 1948, yet more than 230 million children around the world are still denied access to this fundamental right. The vision to provide access to education can become a reality through collective action and it continues to inspire EAA Foundation's daily efforts, shaping its work and partnerships.