H H Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, Chairperson of Qatar Foundation, H E Sheikha Hind bint Hamad Al Thani, Vice Chairperson and CEO of QF, Emine Erdogan, the First Lady of Turkey, H E Dr. Hamad bin Abdulaziz Al Kawari, Cultural Adviser at the Emiri Diwan, along
The world witnessing rapid changes, which will put humanity to a tough test, said Emine Erdogan, the First Lady of Turkey while addressing the opening plenary session of the World Innovation Summit for Education (WISE) yesterday.
Emine graced the event as the guest of honour and also said that the world is facing a number of challenges that need to be addressed such as the refugee crisis. She said that Turkey set an example in dealing with the Syrian refugee crisis when it integrated them in the educational system, essentially treating them as guests rather than refugees. She highlighted that Turkey is hosting 3.5 million Syrian refugees, more than a million of which are children. She stressed that education is an essential tool of integrating people into a new society.
“There are different opinions on the future of our world. In such an atmosphere, we need to ask the right questions and pursue sincere answers to them. We must be the spokesperson of truth in a world ruled by post-truth or post-reality and fictionalise and propagandise approaches. In this world where false news are spread through technological channels, we can only survive to the strength of truth. Our lives will become more valuable and meaningful if we advocate a stance based on reason and conscience,” said Emine.
“The world is full of suffering but what matters is to have the ears to hear the voice of those who suffer. Take the refugees for example, it is one of the biggest challenges human kind is facing. Turkey has displayed a great example of co-existence as a country receiving with open arms 3.5 million refugees. Women and children fleeing the war are hosted in our country as guests regardless of their religion, language or ethnicity,” said Emine.
“And 1 million out of those 3.5 million are children in school age. We do not wish to see those children become a lost generation. Our state mobilises with all its power its education resources. Inclusive education bridges Syrians and Turkish students from pre-school education to university. It is obvious that co-living and co-existence are only possible through education in this era of disintegration,” she added.
