I am deeply honoured to inaugurate this exhibition that goes to the heart of UNESCO’s mission. We stand for education as a basic human right. To implement this right there can be no borders, no boundaries, no limits to this right. Every child, whatever their circumstances and background, must have access to quality education.
This goes especially for children who are most vulnerable, children suffering from health troubles, children undergoing prolonged stays in hospital. Hospitalized children are taken from their homes. They are often forced to interrupt their schooling. They find themselves alone, isolated from their peers -- the experience can be bewildering and deeply disruptive.
When they do recover, they often find themselves left behind, obliged to restart. The exclusion of hospitalised children is simply not acceptable. This is about rights and dignity. This is about giving every girl and boy every chance to grow their minds while strengthening their resilience.
This is what we mean by education without borders, to provide every girl and boy with opportunities for quality learning. The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development promises to leave no one behind – this must start with children whose needs are greatest.
So, this exhibition carries a message at the heart of all our efforts to build a more just and inclusive world. I wish to thank the World Jewish Congress and the Permanent Delegation of Israel to UNESCO for this initiative.
UNESCO and the World Jewish Congress have cooperated since 1962, to advance intercultural dialogue, to fight discrimination and anti-Semitism, to promote a culture of tolerance and respect. I am pleased this engagement was recognized in 2012, when the Congress acquired the status of NGO partner in associate status with UNESCO.
UNESCO had the chance to work with the World Jewish Congress earlier this year in the context of the International Day of Commemoration in Memory of the victims of the Holocaust, and I am grateful for this renewed opportunity to strengthen our ties.
This reflects also the strong foundation of cooperation that exists between Israel and UNESCO, covering the full range of UNESCO’s mandate – especially in education for peace, for inclusion, for human rights.
Mesdames et Messieurs,
Permettez-moi de saluer l'engagement de la Fondation SASA Setton, du Centre médical de Galilée occidentale, de l'Hôpital Hadassah du Mont Scopus, et de toutes les institutions médicales – plus de 35 – qui participent à cet effort. Cette initiative bénéficie à des milliers d'enfants de tous âges et toutes origines.
Chacune de ces photographies magnifiques raconte une histoire. Une histoire de solidarité contre l'isolement. Une histoire d’unité du genre humain, où chacun se concentre sur des principes essentiels, partagés par tous.
Chaque enfant veut apprendre, et chaque enfant est une chance pour la paix, s’il prend confiance en lui, s’il accède à l’éducation, s’il grandit dans la dignité. Et c’est dans cet esprit que l’UNESCO soutient les initiatives des Etats de la région, pour faire progresser l’éducation et les droits fondamentaux, au-delà des frontières. Nous continuerons de le faire, au nom de la justice, au nom de la petite enfance, au nom de la paix.
Cette exposition nous renforce encore dans notre conviction, et je remercie la Délégation d’Israël et le Congrès Juif Mondial de cette belle initiative, et qui est une marque de confiance en l’UNESCO.
Je vous remercie.
Photo: Michael Thaidigsmann
