TBHF seeks to ensure access to education for all

SHARJAH, 7th September, 2018 (WAM) — The Sharjah-based Big Heart Foundation, TBHF, is seeking to ensure that all children and young adults from around the world, particularly those who live in areas that suffer instability and lack of security, have access to education.

”This requires full collaboration between all stakeholders and decision-makers to develop a clear tangible mechanism that can alleviate those challenges and provide a practical educational framework in compliance with each country’s circumstances,” stated Mariam Al Hammadi, Director of TBHF, ahead of the International Literacy Day, celebrated annually on 8th September. This year’s theme is “Literacy and skills development.”

She said, “Thanks to global developments and initiatives that support human rights, the 21st century has marked a decline in illiteracy rates and an increase in the level of education in many countries around the world. Yet, there are many compelling circumstances that strike countries, such as famine, natural disasters, wars and instability, which contribute to increasing illiteracy, and depriving entire generations of the right to access education.”




“Depriving individuals from educational causes paramount losses to them and the world, and requires many years to compensate. For those reasons, and under the directives of H.H. Sheikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, wife of H.H. the Ruler of Sharjah, Chairperson of TBHF and Eminent Advocate for Refugee Children at the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, UNHCR, the TBHF seeks to support less fortunate generations and enable them to access education. This aligns with our dedication to achieving one of the UN’s most important Millennium Development Goals, MDG.”

“We seek to ensure that all children and young adults from around the world, particularly those who live in areas that suffer instability and lack of security, have access to education. This requires full collaboration between all stakeholders and decision-makers to develop a clear tangible mechanism that can alleviate those challenges and provide a practical educational framework in compliance with each country’s circumstances,” she stated.



Al Hammadi underscored the fact that apart from the TBHF’s ongoing efforts to provide unprivileged communities from around the world with shelter, food, medicine and clean drinking water, it further implements sustainable humanitarian initiatives, including education, as well as social and psychological rehabilitation.

The day is an opportunity for governments, civil society and stakeholders to highlight improvements in world literacy rates, and reflect on the world’s remaining literacy challenges.

The issue of literacy is a key component of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals and the UN’s 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.



The UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, adopted by world leaders in September 2015, promotes, as part of its agenda, universal access to quality education and learning opportunities throughout people’s lives. Sustainable Development Goal 4 has as one of its targets ensuring all young people achieve literacy and numeracy and that adults who lack these skills are given the opportunity to acquire them.