‘Education is the greatest tool of all’

TDT | Manama                                                 

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com    

Reported by Julia Cassano

Now more than ever, education is a must in the battle to overcome inequities in the Middle East and to help rebuild economies that have failed to advance due to never ending conflict.

Countries in the Middle East are facing shared and borderless challenges including extremism, cyber-attacks, regional insecurity, and human rights concerns.

However, some say many of these issues can be solved through education programs. With political and financial contributions, education programs can be expanded to other children in the region, giving them opportunities to learn critical skills.

“Education is the greatest tool of all,” Marc Lassouaoui, senior manager of Outreach Europe, stated. “Providing children with critical skills, tools, and education allows them to take control of their future, giving them the chance at a successful and prosperous life.”

The United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) for Palestine Refugees in the Near East supports approximately 6 million Palestinian refugees, who are entitled to the agency’s services. The UNRWA plays a critical role in sustaining regional stability in the region, hence its crucial education services provided to children all over the Middle Eastern region. He discussed the agency’s education program that “provides direct education to 545,000 children in the Middle East.”

The education program provides primary and secondary education. “We have created a school parliament a few years ago to encourage the students to possess a democratic approach that can further enhance and shape the children’s future.”

Children are the future

Lassouaoui acknowledged that to further progress the education programs, more support is necessary. “Both political and financial support are crucial to advance the education program, as the success and development of the agency depends on voluntary contributions.”

Currently the agency’s largest donors are the US and Germany. He urged Bahrain and other GCC countries to partake in the agency’s operations. “Our area of operations takes place in their backyard in Lebanon, Palestine, Jordan, and Syria. It is essential to create regional security, and this can be improved by children having access to essential educational programs,” he said.

The youth can hold the power into reshaping economies and societies in the region, and to fulfil their potential, it is crucial to invest in them, in their education, to progress the region in terms of competitiveness, innovation, and prosperity. Bahrain and other GCC countries hold the responsibility to assist in the promotion of stability in the region.

Lassouaoui said that the IPU conference can help shed light on important topics and issues that can assist in the aim of regional stability.

“We do not have many opportunities to share our work and expand our networks. Moreover, the IPU Assembly (Inter-Parliamentary Union) is essential as parliamentarians from all over the world are gathered here which encourages those to speak up and share recommendations and feedback,” he said. “I commend the Kingdom of Bahrain for hosting the conference, and I see the tremendous dedication it holds in terms of investments,” he added.