On 6 May 2014, The NGO World Foundation Islamabad team participated in the advocacy walk as a part of Education For All (EFA) campaign started at Sports Complex Islamabad by UNESCO Pakistan. Thousands of participants including government departments, UN agencies, students, civil society, press and media persons took part in this walk. Participants were holding banners & placards having quotes on importance of education.
Dr. Kozue Kay Nagata (Country Director, UNESCO Pakistan) and Mr. Muhammad Tahir Rafiq (Joint Secretary Education at Ministry Of Capital Administration and Development Islamabad) led the walk and addressed the participants about the theme of the walk.
On 7 May 2014, The NGO World on invitation by UNESCO, participated in National Forum on Education for All (EFA) conducted at Marriott Hotel Islamabad by UNESCO and UNICEF.
Following members participated in panel discussion:
- Mr. Ahsan Raza (Secretary Education, Training and Standards, Higher Education)
- Dr. Kozue Kay Nagata (Country Director, UNESCO Pakistan)
- Mr. Dan Rohrmann (Representative UNICEF)
- Mr. Ahmed Ali (Institute of Social and Policy Science (I-SAPS)
- Dr. Allah Bakhsh Malik (Additional Secretary Education and D.G National Education Foundation Pakistan)
- Mr. Zafar Iqbal (Executive Director, The NGO World)
The national forum focused on interactive discussions on the required legislation and implementation under Article 25-A, increase in fiscal space, quality enhancement and developing a thorough monitoring system for education sector in Pakistan. Speaking in her welcome remarks, Dr Kozue Kay Nagata, Director UNESCO Pakistan emphasized on the realization of Education for All particularly for persons with disabilities in Pakistan. She said that about an estimated 1.4 million persons with disabilities in Pakistan were the children of school going age, most of whom do not have access to either inclusive or special schools due to limited capacity in existing facilities. UNICEF Education Specialist, John Ekaju said that EFA was a critical priority and government commitment for increasing the education budget allocation would further improve the education for all including the disable children.
