Biennial Report 2016/2017: UNESCO Regional Bureau for Education in the Arab States

As Regional Bureau for Education, UNESCO Beirut is the lead coordinator for SDG 4 in the Arab Region. We strive to provide tangible support for each Member State in the region, taking into account national needs and priorities, thereby employing nationally relevant approaches. More specifically, our work aims to address both the humanitarian and development aspects brought about by the protracted crisis in Syria through bridging the learning gaps for the youth, both for Syrian refugees and vulnerable youth in host communities. Our response also targets teachers, mentors and facilitators as well as Ministries’ technical officials. The crisis in Syria has created a need for specific support in education in emergencies and quality education to which we actively engage from both, upstream analytical and capacity building and downstream operational levels.

UNESCO Beirut has also strengthened its leadership to respond to the deliberate destruction of cultural heritage, illicit trafficking, and attacks against individuals on religious or cultural grounds. We raise the alarm to protect heritage in danger, assessing damages to World Heritage sites in conflict. We also raise awareness among the public about the values of cultural heritage and the need to protect it for future generations. In today’s diverse societies, the Organization’s fundamental humanist mission guides us to support people, especially the youth, in understanding each other and working together to build lasting peace and enables people to create and use knowledge for just and inclusive societies. We continue to advocate free, independent and pluralistic media in print, broadcast and online to enhance freedom of expression as a contributor to peace, sustainability, poverty eradication and human rights. This biennial report summarizes the work and achievements accomplished between 2016 and 2017 by our office.