We are delighted to announce that our Founding Director Janice Lathen attended a high-level side-event on “Relevant, Equitable and Inclusive Quality Education for All: an Imperative for the 21st Century” during the review of the Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG4) at the High-level Political Forum 2019 in New York at the United Nations Headquarters on July 15, 2019! Hosted by UNESCO, the SDG-Education 2030 Steering Committee and the Group of Friends for Education and Lifelong Learning, the event was held in the Trusteeship Council Chamber and included a panel discussion.

UNESCO, also known as the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, has programs that are vital to the Sustainable Development Goals of Agenda 2030. They work alongside the SDG-Education 2030 Committee, which is tasked with the coordination and assessment of SDG4 and other aspects of this incredible work. The Group of Friends for Education and Lifelong Learning is new to the trio having been established in January 2019 for the purpose of outreach to make education a priority to the UN General Assembly, the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) and other UN organizations. This body is currently chaired by the Permanent Missions of Argentina, the Czech Republic, Japan, Kenya and Norway to the United Nations.

Transforming lives through education through the guidelines set by the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development was the main topic of the event’s 90-minute panel discussion, which included direction on how to generate global commitments towards inclusive quality education and lifelong learning for all populations. Audrey Azoulay, Director-General of UNESCO, gave opening remarks. Statements were then given by Ministers of Member States and representatives from the European Union and the World Bank. Government, private sector, civil society, and youth representatives were also in attendance.

One of the most engaging speeches was given by Maggie MacDonnell, the 2017 Global Teacher Prize Winner. Additional topics included equity and inclusion among populations, the interconnection between global communities, and providing the necessary life and work skills to those same communities. Afterward, Ms. Lathen spoke with Ms. Azoulay, who suggested that Powering Potential contact her office for possible funding opportunities.

“I am always inspired to attend events at the United Nations,” Ms. Lathen said. “I was especially grateful for the opportunity to meet the Director-General and introduce Powering Potential to her. We hope for an opportunity to collaborate with UNESCO in the future.” 

We would like to thank UNESCO, the SDG-Education 2030 Steering Committee and the Group of Friends for Education and Lifelong Learning for both the invitation and experience!