“I encourage creative and innovative learning models which capitalize on e-learning and online knowledge to be incorporated into learning environments.”- Mrs. Graça Machel
The second Yidan Prize Summit returned to Hong Kong on 10 December 2018, with a mission to tackle just “how” the issues facing the global education system can be addressed.
In her capacity as an international advocate for women and children’s rights Mrs. Graça Machel was honoured to give a special keynote address and spoke about the special role of developing nations in global education, their unique issues and potential solutions to the challenges they face. Over 350 key stakeholders in the education sector from policymakers, to educators and innovators convened at the world’s leading education event to discuss practical steps towards achieving equitable education for the society of the future and some of the most challenging questions facing education around the world were addressed.
Present at the event were Charles CHEN Yidan Founder of the Yidan Prize who gave welcome remarks. Her Royal Highness, Princess Laurentien, of the Netherlands gave a keynote address touching on the role of philanthropists – how to give effectively, which is based on the fact that only 25% of countries across the world are currently spending the recommended 6% of gross national product to ensure quality education for children.
In her remarks, Mrs. Machel thanked Dr Charles Yidan, Clive Yidan, and the entire Yidan Prize Foundation for the opportunity to address the summit and congratulated this year’s Yidan Prize Laureates, Professor Anat Agarwal and Professor Larry Hedges for a very well-deserved recognition on their outstanding work. On speaking about Education in developing countries, she urged everyone to think about beginning investing in a children’s education right from the moment of conception, pointing that studies show that proper nutrition received from the first 1000 days is monumentally transformative to developing a child’s full potential.
“The lasting effects on the cognitive and physical development of children in the developing world and their families has led to the stunted development of societies. The challenge of undernourishment has continued to persist as many governments across the globe do not adequately prioritise spending on nutrition despite evidence of its importance to individuals, households, and the national economy. This is where change has to start!”- Mrs. Graça Machel.
Find out more on our Children’s Rights Programme
The Trust supports and mobilises civil society networks on issues of ending child marriage, ending violence against children, ending female genital mutilation and promoting children’s rights, to carry out advocacy and action across Africa. Special focus is placed on Malawi, Mozambique, Tanzania and Zambia where child marriage continues to be a problem largely driven by poverty, gender inequality, harmful traditional practices, conflict, low levels of literacy, limited opportunities for girls and weak or non-existent protective and preventive legal frameworks.
Education is a fundamental right for all children, which is also a vehicle for social, economic and political transformation in communities, countries and the African continent at large. Recent studies indicate a lack of progress in some of the critical commitments aimed at improving education quality, access, retention and achievement, particularly for girls. In most African countries, girls may face barriers to learning, especially when they reach post-primary levels of education. By implementing multi-dimensional approaches to education which includes core education, personal development, life skills and economic competencies, the Trust partners with funding partners, governments, civil societies and the private sector to improve education access.
The Nutrition and Reproductive, Maternal, New-born, Child and Adolescent Health and Nutrition, (RMNCAH+N) of the Children’s Rights and Development Programme aims at promoting the Global Strategy for women, children and adolescents’ health within the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) agenda. The strategy emphasises on the importance of effective country leadership as a common factor across countries making progress in improving the health of women, children and adolescents.
Through its Early Childhood Development (ECD) plan, The Trust will seek to put into action the new science and evidence Report that was presented by Lancet Series on Good and early development – the right of every child. This will be achieved by mobilising like-minded partners to contribute in the new science and evidence to reach all young children with ECD. The Trust’s goal is to be a catalyst for doing things differently, in particular, to rid fragmentation and lack of coordination across ECD sectors. In response to evidence showing the importance of political will in turning the tide against the current poor access and quality of ECD. Even before conception, starting with a mother’s health and social economic conditions, the early years of a child’s life form a fundamental foundation that determines whether a child will survive and thrive optimally.