「教育フレンズグループ」及び「子どもとSDGsフレンズグループ」合同会合における石兼大使ステートメント
令和4年6月8日
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(As delivered)
Thank you Lachezara, and a warm welcome to UNICEF Executive Director Ms. Russell, UNESCO Director Mr. Chakroun, and all of you who have joined this Joint Meeting today.
Due to COVID and other crises, we are faced with an education and learning crisis and witnessing a serious roll back in the SDGs. School closures have had devastating consequences and disproportionately impacted children in vulnerable situations.
While the pandemic unexpectedly accelerated the transition to digital learning platforms and tools, the shift to digital learning has exposed various gaps and inequalities within and between countries. We have also been reminded how critically important the roles of teachers and family are in children’s education.
Recognizing the value of education, Japan has long been providing assistance to enhance the quality of education by expanding schooling and increasing access to learning for children and youth. The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) supports governments and NGOs to train teachers, improve learning environments, enhance community engagement in school activities, and support curriculum development. Through these activities, children and youth acquire the skills they need to further their learning. We, therefore, regard education as one of the main avenues toward building a society where all individuals can enjoy all their rights and fully develop their human potential.
Let me touch upon a specific area which Japan puts a great emphasis on and would like to further promote. Education for Sustainable Development (ESD). ESD is an integral element of the SDGs on quality education and a key enabler of all other goals. We believe that mainstreaming ESD in education, skills training, and lifelong learning, as well as society at large, is a crucial part of transforming education for the future. To this end, our Group of Friends is going to organize a side-event on ESD during the HLPF next month.
In September, the Transforming Education Summit (TES) will be held and our Group of Friends has been deeply involved in the conversations around the TES. To make the Summit successful, it is critical to generate momentum among the Member States. For this reason, I concurred with Ambassador Stoeva’s proposal to convene this joint meeting of the two Groups of Friends.
Today we welcome as speakers Keino, a student and advocate from Jamaica, and Ms. Weingarten, a representative of teachers. I look forward to hearing from you and exploring possible coordinated efforts in the near future.
I thank you very much.
Due to COVID and other crises, we are faced with an education and learning crisis and witnessing a serious roll back in the SDGs. School closures have had devastating consequences and disproportionately impacted children in vulnerable situations.
While the pandemic unexpectedly accelerated the transition to digital learning platforms and tools, the shift to digital learning has exposed various gaps and inequalities within and between countries. We have also been reminded how critically important the roles of teachers and family are in children’s education.
Recognizing the value of education, Japan has long been providing assistance to enhance the quality of education by expanding schooling and increasing access to learning for children and youth. The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) supports governments and NGOs to train teachers, improve learning environments, enhance community engagement in school activities, and support curriculum development. Through these activities, children and youth acquire the skills they need to further their learning. We, therefore, regard education as one of the main avenues toward building a society where all individuals can enjoy all their rights and fully develop their human potential.
Let me touch upon a specific area which Japan puts a great emphasis on and would like to further promote. Education for Sustainable Development (ESD). ESD is an integral element of the SDGs on quality education and a key enabler of all other goals. We believe that mainstreaming ESD in education, skills training, and lifelong learning, as well as society at large, is a crucial part of transforming education for the future. To this end, our Group of Friends is going to organize a side-event on ESD during the HLPF next month.
In September, the Transforming Education Summit (TES) will be held and our Group of Friends has been deeply involved in the conversations around the TES. To make the Summit successful, it is critical to generate momentum among the Member States. For this reason, I concurred with Ambassador Stoeva’s proposal to convene this joint meeting of the two Groups of Friends.
Today we welcome as speakers Keino, a student and advocate from Jamaica, and Ms. Weingarten, a representative of teachers. I look forward to hearing from you and exploring possible coordinated efforts in the near future.
I thank you very much.