BDT Director Doreen Bogdan-Martin addressed the High Level Security Council Arria Formula Meeting on “Access to education in conflict and post conflict contexts: role of digital technology and connectivity".
The meeting was hosted by Niger, Belgium, China, Dominican Republic, Estonia, France, Germany, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and South Africa. Other expert delegates that briefed the meeting included Mr Ibrahima Guimba-Saidou, Minister of State, CEO, ANSI, Niger, H.E. Ms Paula Ingabire, Minister of Information and Communications Technology and Innovation, Rwanda, and Ms Henrietta Fore, UNICEF Executive Director.
The meeting sought to share lessons learned and best practices in relation to expanding connectivity to children in conflict, post-conflict, and post-disaster situations, and to discuss how the Security Council and the UN System can support the implementation of resolutions aimed at expanding their access to quality education.
In her remarks on universal connectivity and access to digital technology, Ms Bogdan-Martin highlighted ITU's Giga partnership with UNICEF and others, that aims to connect every single school on the planet to the internet, and every young person to information, opportunity and choice.
She explained, “The impact this could have in bringing the transformational power of education to children impacted by conflict and displacement is quite simply unprecedented." As children watch mobile technologies with online learning, Giga will support their empowerment not just in classrooms, but wherever they may find themselves.
Recognizing that children are vulnerable, Ms. Bogdan-Martin underscored that efforts to connect them must always encompass efforts to protect them from online harms. In tandem with the Giga project, work on ITU's Child Online Protection initiative will be expanded.
