In a press briefing in New York this morning, the UN Secretary-General’s Envoy on Youth, Ahmad Alhendawi, joined Special Envoy for Global Education Gordon Brown, Malala Yousafzai, UNICEF Deputy Executive Director Rao Geeta Gupta, and other advocates for education. At the event, Malala challenged world leaders to come up with USD 175 million to educate 400,000 Syrian children who fled to neighbouring Lebanon to escape the ongoing conflict in their home country.
“A hundred years ago, the Red Cross secured the right that health care should be provided even in conflict. We want, in this generation, to secure the right of every child to education even when there’s a conflict,” said Special Envoy Gordon Brown.
Avaaz hands over a cheque of 1 Million USD for Education for Syrian Refugee Children and Youth
To kick off the fund raising, campaign group Avaaz handed over a check for USD 1 million – the result of a campaign begun only a few days ago stemming from donations from over 32,000 individuals.
“I want to commend Avaaz for this initiative, and strongly urge all Member States and institutions to join forces,” concluded the Envoy on Youth.