By Jose Benzaquen Perea
Ambassador of Peru
Affirming that education is the key element to ensure the future of our nations is not an unknown premise in the field of knowledge; however, it is the central partnership of all our reflections and of the margins of development in the global sphere.
The issue of development refers us to the verification of multiple elements and conjunction of shades for the achievement of such an objective, therefore it is considered under an interdisciplinary study that seeks to clarify the complex process of the development of a society.
Progress is accordingly seen as a series of measures that states must guarantee to achieve in citizens a standard of living that allows a concrete welfare state, considering that the role of education and skills are vital to achieve these ends.
The impact of education can also be measured at the aggregate level, and related to the development and growth measured through the Gross Domestic Product as settled by authors such as Xavier Sala-i-Martin and Robert Barro and the studies of Eric Hanushek and Ludger Woessmann that underpin the prominence of the framework of educational quality.
The scope of well-being and development needs to link human rights approaches and mainstreaming under inclusion frameworks such as: gender and culturalism; the same ones that need to be strengthened in civil society and governments considering the universal action plan of the 2030 Agenda, a resolution adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on 25 September 2015, in favour of people, the planet and prosperity.
There is a need to integrate societies from the perspective to lead the world back on the path of sustainability and resilience, therefore delimiting a comprehensive outline for action under the consideration of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) established by the UN in the 2030 Agenda and the 169 targets for whose effects it is intended to make the human rights of all people a reality.
The goals and targets are integrated and combined in the three dimensions: economic, social and environmental.
In this context, allow me to remember the ideas of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, who said “Investing in quality education is one of the most important elements of building the economy, advancing societies, and achieving growth and prosperity. If we are talking about the challenges emanating from sustainable development, peace or the rule of law, we would find that education is at the forefront of the tried-and-trusted solutions to these challenges”.
Starting from a person-centred approach as the supreme end of global society; to achieve adequate training must be strengthened from the educational framework, the promotion, respect and guarantee of human rights.
The rights of education is part of the nominated framework of international human rights law, the interesting thing about the international and internal framework is that the normative interaction is progressive integrating: the declarations, international treaties, jurisprudence and decisions of the international framework.
It’s also relevant to mention the Article 26 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights is the first instrument that defines the content of the right to education:
1. Everyone has the right to education. Education should be free, at least as far as elementary and fundamental instruction is concerned. Elementary instruction shall be compulsory. Technical and vocational instruction should be generalised; access to higher education will be the same for all, depending on the respective merits.
2. Education shall aim at the full development of the human personality and the strengthening of respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms; it will promote understanding, tolerance and friendship among all nations and all ethnic or religious groups, and promote the development of United Nations peacekeeping activities.
3. Parents shall have the preferential right to choose the type of education to be given to their children.
The importance of the Right to Education is considered in Qatar a part of its growth as a developed country, according to the point of view of Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, who said “the right to a quality education is, I believe, the perfect path to bridge the gap between different cultures and to reconcile various civilisations. Without such a right, the values of liberty, justice and equality will have no meaning”.
The right to education is due to the nature and normative scope of the right derived from international human rights instruments, national constitutions, laws and jurisprudence.
Consequently, education helps us to find values such as discipline, sustained effort and dedication. The right education, both at home and at school, leads us to be better human beings.
Finally, I would like to remember the phrase of Nelson Mandela: “Education is the most powerful weapon you can use to change the world”.