Rio de Janeiro, Brazil – November 20, 2024
The Education Above All (EAA) Foundation, the OECD Network of Foundations Working for Development (netFWD), and Fundação Getulio Vargas’ Division for the Development of Public Management and Educational Policies (FGV DGPE) co-hosted a high-level event titled “Catalyzing Change: Education’s Role in Building a Just and Sustainable Future” during the G20 Leaders’ Summit in Rio de Janeiro. This event emphasized the critical role of education in addressing climate change, promoting equity, and fostering resilience, aligning with Brazil’s G20 Presidency theme: “Building a Just World and a Sustainable Planet.”
Event Highlights
The two-part event consisted of:
• High-Level Breakfast: Global leaders delivered opening remarks, exploring the intersections of education, climate, and health. A round-table discussion followed, focusing on integrating education into climate and health policies to tackle global challenges.
• Technical Session: Panel discussions and workshops addressed innovative financing for education, climate-resilient learning, foundations’ roles in sustainable development, and youth-led advocacy.
Key Insights and Statements
Mohamed Al Kubaisi, Acting CEO of EAA Foundation, highlighted:
“To achieve sustainable development goals and ensure equitable access to quality education, we must prioritise innovative financing solutions and collaborative approaches. EAA has provided educational opportunities to over 19 million out-of-school children across 60 countries, leveraging nearly USD 3 billion in co-funding through strategic partnerships.”
Henrique Paim, Director of FGV DGPE, stated:
“Education is a cornerstone in addressing social, environmental, and economic challenges. Forward-looking pedagogical practices must prioritise quality teaching, meaningful learning outcomes, and the essential rights to inclusion and social equity.”
Federico Bonaglia, Deputy Director of the OECD Development Centre, underscored:
“Philanthropy has a pivotal role in addressing global challenges, contributing USD 42 billion to development from 2016 to 2019, with most resources directed to education. This event reinforces philanthropy’s importance in multilateral discussions and its integration into global development priorities.”
A Global Call to Action
With Brazil’s G20 Presidency emphasizing social inclusion, sustainable energy transitions, and global governance reform, the event sought to galvanize global commitments to:
• Expanding educational access for marginalized communities.
• Strengthening climate resilience through education.
• Advancing equitable development through innovative financing and cross-sector collaboration.
As the dialogue continues, this initiative sets the stage for future collaborations, including engaging with South Africa’s G20 Presidency in 2025, to amplify the role of education in driving systemic reform and resilience worldwide.
For more information, visit www.educationaboveall.org.
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