IPNEd at global meeting of national parliaments
Parliamentarians attend the IPU Assembly in Geneva
IPNEd is attending the 148th IPU Assembly in Geneva.
The twice yearly IPU assemblies provides an unparalleled opportunity to strengthen the role of parliamentarians in delivering the SDGs.
The assembly’s theme is building bridges for peace and understanding, IPNEd will be highlighting how education provides the foundations for peace and that we must protect the education of children in emergencies.
The International Parliamentary Network for Education will be attending the 148th Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union being held in Geneva from 23rd to 26th March.
Founded in 1889 the IPU is the global organisation of national parliaments. Its mission is to empower parliaments and parliamentarians to promote peace, democracy and sustainable development.
“The IPU’s twice yearly assemblies which bing together representatives from 180 parliaments offer an unparalleled opportunity to strengthen the role of parliaments in delivering the Sustainable Development Goals including SDG 4 - quality education for all,” said IPNEd Co-founder and Executive Director, Joseph Nhan-O’Reilly, speaking from Geneva.
The theme of the 148th Assembly is building bridges for peace and understanding.
The fact that a well-resourced and transformed education system is an essential long-term tool for preventing, building, and sustaining peace was recognised unanimously in November 2023 when the Recommendation on Education for Peace, Human Rights and Sustainable Development was adopted by all 194 UNESCO Member States at its 42nd General Conference.
“By ensuring that all learners have access to quality and relevant learning, education lays the groundwork for peace before, during, and after conflicts,” said Mr. Nhan-O’Reilly.
“Conflict also robs learners of their right to education depriving millions of children and young people of the ability to go to school.”
IPNEd welcomes the opportunity to support parliaments and their members to accelerate the achievement of SDG 4 - quality education for all - and in doing so to lay the foundations for peace and justice.
Through their powers to legislate, budget and scrutinise government action parliaments are central to delivering sustainable development, including education.
At this Assembly, IPNEd - which has permanent observer status at the IPU - will speak in the General Debate.
“I look forward to addressing the assembly, reinforcing the link between peace and education and urging MPs to commit to accelerating the achievement of SDG 4,” said Mr. Nhan-O’Reilly.
“With just five years to go before we hit the deadline for the 2030 Agenda the world is significantly off track to achieve the global education goal. This is bad for education but a threat to sustainable development in general,” concluded Mr Nhan-O’Reilly.
We look forward to sharing our work with members of parliament from around the world at the Assembly and to growing political leadership for and commitment to education.
