Education Above All ( EAA) Foundation, a global development and education foundation, concluded its Doha Forum participation with a high-level panel discussion focused on debt, innovative financing, and solutions to support education.
The session aligned with Doha Forum’s objectives of creating a collaborative platform for addressing global issues, promoting sustainable solutions, and fostering impactful networks.
Global thought leaders participated in the panel discussion, including Paula Ingabire, minister of Information Communication Technology and Innovation, Rwanda, Fahad al-Sulaiti, director-general of the Qatar Fund For Development; Laura Frigenti, CEO, Global Partnership for Education; Dr Hiba Ahmed, director-general of the Islamic Solidarity Fund for Development, Islamic Development Bank; Fatima Yasmin, vice-president, Asian Development Bank; and moderated by Dr Safwan Masry, dean of Georgetown University in Qatar.EAA Foundation and its partners addressed three interconnected themes: the high number of out-of-school children, the education funding gap intensified by rising debt burdens, and innovative solutions to tackle these global challenges.
The panel provided insights into education access, quality, and relevance, focusing on how rising debt pressures influence education budgets. Participants explored partnership-driven approaches to increasing domestic education spending, presented alternative funding models, and introduced a country pilot initiative as a new model for educational financial sustainability.
Mohammed al-Kubaisi, acting CEO of EAA Foundation, said: “As we confront significant funding challenges faced by low-income and low-middle-income countries in financing education, our discussion at the Doha Forum reflects EAA Foundation’s commitment to providing equitable access to quality education across the globe.
The recent Unesco GEM Report 1 highlights a national average financing gap of $97bn per year to achieve SDG 4, emphasising the critical need for innovative funding solutions. Through creative financial solutions and inclusive investments, we can bridge the gap, empower future generations, and build a more equitable and prosperous future.”
EAA has provided educational opportunities to over 19mn out-of-school children and youth across 60 countries, leveraging nearly $3bn in co-funding through strategic partnerships.
Participants at the panel discussion.
