The United Nations Human Rights Council, 47th Session
Annual thematic panel discussion on technical cooperation and capacity-building on the theme “Technical cooperation to advance the right to education and ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and lifelong learning for all”
(Human Rights Council resolutions 18/18 and 45/32)
12 July 2021
Statement by the Nordic and Baltic countries
I have the honour to speak on behalf of the Nordic- Baltic countries.
We reaffirm our strong support to the work of the OHCHR in providing technical assistance and capacity building, including in ensuring the promotion and protection of the right to education.
Education is essential in enabling rights-holders to demand respect for their human rights and for the achievement of the 2030 Agenda with human rights at the core.
We are deeply concerned about the school closures due to Covid-19 pandemic that have disrupted learning worldwide with more than 90 % of all learners impacted at the peak of the crisis. Inequalities are deepening and learners in vulnerable or marginalized situations have been hardest hit. Millions of girls worldwide are at risk of dropping out of school.
The Nordic-Baltic countries promote actively the right to equal and inclusive education for all, with a particular focus on those living in vulnerable situations, including women and girls, persons with disabilities, and children in crises or conflict situations, and those living in poor or rural areas.
Finally, a question:
How can we best leverage the potential of new technologies in ensuring quality education for all, for example by providing distance learning opportunities, and thus help to diminish different forms of divides and inequalities?
Thank you.