Luminarium - “Girls’ Education”

Excellencies,
Ladies and gentlemen,

The Director-General is unfortunately unable to be with us today and he sends his best regards. He has asked me to present the following words on his behalf:

“Mr. Foreign Secretary,
Madam Minister,
Ambassador Braithwaite,
Ms. Zafirakou,
Excellencies,
Ladies and gentlemen,
Girls’ education is a game changer. It makes all the difference in young women being able to find a job and make a living. It enables women and girls to be independent, to advocate for their human rights and to grow into role models and drivers for more peaceful, prosperous and equal societies. In sum, girls’ education contributes significantly to a healthier and more sustainable world.

And yet, education is out of reach for 130 million girls aged 6 to 17.

- Refugee girls are particularly marginalized. Being out of school is the sad reality of many refugee children: only 61% are able to attend school, compared to an average of 91% globally. For refugee girls, the situation is worse. For every ten refugee boys, fewer than eight refugee girls are in primary school.
- In conflict zones, adolescent girls are 90% more likely to be out of school than elsewhere.
- But even in the absence of conflict, the journey to school can be so dangerous that it effectively prevents girls from attending.
- And sometimes it is simply the cost of education that makes it unattainable for girls in poorer settings.

I therefore salute the initiative of the Foreign Secretary to campaign for 12 years of quality education for all. His recently launched Commonwealth Platform for Girls’ Education has already attracted 12 influential champions from across the Commonwealth, creating a much-needed political momentum for girls’ education.

We are very happy to have the Secretary of State, Mr. Boris Johnson, here with us today to present this campaign. A warm welcome also to Ms. Amina Mohamed, Kenyan Cabinet Secretary for Education, who is the co-chair of the Commonwealth Platform. I sincerely thank both of you, as well as Ambassador Braithwaite and the Permanent Mission of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, for making this important issue part of our cultural diplomacy programme. International Geneva is indeed an excellent choice for the global launch of this campaign as it is where international agencies work hand in hand with Member States to make our Global Goals, including those on education and gender, a reality.

Ladies and gentlemen,
As you visit the Luminarium, I invite you to listen carefully to the testimonies from girls from around the world. In their messages, they bring to us their powerful accounts of what education means to them, as they grow up in poor contexts, in refugee camps, in conflict zones.

As we walk through this incredible inflatable structure, with sunlight breaking through in all different shades and colours, we are invited to see things in a different light. We enter a creative space that challenges us into thinking out of the box - because the one thing you will not find inside are straight lines.

The Luminarium was already very popular when it first came to Ariana Park five years ago. We are privileged to have it back, and in an even bigger version.

Now let’s take off our shoes and walk into this inspiring light installation. And then let’s roll up our sleeves to make education work for girls everywhere.

Thank you all for being here with us today and please enjoy the exhibition.”

Thank you.