World Innovation Summit for education hosts New York discussions on global education funding

New York City, NY - The World Innovation Summit for Education (WISE), an initiative of Qatar Foundation (QF), has held a series of New York-based roundtables and workshops with education stakeholders, with the aim of accelerating progress towards the fourth UN Sustainable Development Goal for Education (SDG 4).

The discussions took place in the build-up to WISE@NY, a forum held by WISE in New York City as part of the UN Global Goals Week, which saw over 350 innovators, education experts, and thought-leaders gather to discuss key topics and challenges facing education on a worldwide scale.

With funding being a major element of ensuring that SDG 4 – which reflects that quality education is the foundation of sustainable development - is met by 2030, WISE believes that connecting the right stakeholders is pivotal to generating productive outcomes in this area. According to a report conducted by the Education Commission, the average annual expenditure on education for low- and middle-income countries is $1.3 trillion, which represents only a third of funding required to achieve SDG 4.

The organizations involved in the New York discussions hosted by WISE included the Education Outcomes Fund (EOF), the International Education Funders Group (IEFG), and members of the Global Partnership for Education (GPE). Funders who participated in the roundtables and workshops helped to lead discussions about increasing and improving methods of education financing.

“The roundtable discussions organized by WISE enabled conversations to take place on new and better ways of financing education, with the objective of achieving SDG 4,” said Zineb Mouhyi, Policy and Partnership Development Officer, WISE.

“Hosting these discussions in New York City, a day ahead of WISE@NY, enabled a wide range of global expertise and insight to be applied to this issue, with the aim of identifying potential solutions and pathways for progress, and helping to ensure that children around the world have access to the quality education which improves their lives, strengthens their societies, and equips them with the tools to innovate.”

EOF ­was established by the Education Commission – chaired by former UK Prime Minister the Rt Hon Gordon Brown – and the Global Steering Group for Impact Investment, and launched at the 2017 WISE Summit in Doha, after which it co-hosted a roundtable in May 2018 for the WISE@Accra forum. Its involvement in the New York discussions hosted by WISE was designed to build connections with potential funders, and these efforts will be continued at the next WISE international forum, WISE@Paris, in February 2018 with the aim of engaging philanthropists to discuss new frameworks needed for increasing impact.

WISE@NY was WISE’s first forum to be held in the US, with previous summits and events being held in Qatar, and regional forums taking place in China, Spain, Tunisia, and Ghana. Past dignitaries who have spoken at the conference include former US First Lady Michelle Obama, His Excellency Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, President of Ghana, award-winning author Chimamanda Adichie, and journalist Fareed Zakaria.

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About the World Innovation Summit for Education (WISE):

The World Innovation Summit for Education was established by Qatar Foundation in 2009 under the leadership of its Chairperson, Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser. WISE is an international, multi-sectoral platform for creative, evidence-based thinking, debate, and purposeful action in education. Through the biennial summit, collaborative research and a range of on-going programs, WISE is a global reference in new approaches to education.

For further information about WISE, visit www.wise-qatar.org

Qatar Foundation – Unlocking Human Potential

Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development (QF) is a non-profit organization that supports Qatar on its journey to becoming a diversified and sustainable economy. QF strives to serve the people of Qatar and beyond by providing specialized programs across its innovation-focused ecosystem of education, science and research, and community development.

QF was founded in 1995 by His Highness Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, the Father Emir, and Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, who shared the vision to provide Qatar with quality education. Today, QF’s world-class education system offers lifelong learning opportunities to community members as young as six months through to doctoral level, enabling graduates to thrive in a global environment and contribute to the nation’s development.

QF is also creating a multidisciplinary innovation hub in Qatar, where homegrown researchers are working to address local and global challenges. By promoting a culture of lifelong learning and fostering social engagement through programs that embody Qatari culture, QF is committed to empowering the local community and contributing to a better world for all.

For a complete list of QF’s initiatives and projects, visit http://www.qf.org.qa

© Press Release 2018