Japan, UNESCO support youth education in Mosul
The Japanese Ambassador to Iraq, Futoshi Matsumoto, shaking hands with UNESCO Representative to Iraq, Paolo Fontani, in the presence of the Advisor of Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Alaa Atiyah. Photo: UNESCO
Baghdad (IraqiNews.com) – The UNESCO and the Japanese government signed an agreement supporting a project entitled ‘Enhancing youth employability and resilience for peace in Nineveh,’ according to a press statement issued by the UNESCO.
The project lays the ground for participatory and innovative design principles in the assistance for social stabilization (education for preventing extremism, employment promotion through vocational training mainly for the youth recovery of infrastructures and return of IDPs and refugees), the UNESCO statement mentioned.
The project will build on the foundation of the ongoing UNESCO supported projects to expand provision of inclusive quality Technical, Vocational Education and Training (TVET) and train the technical and construction workers on Prevention of Violent Extremism through Education (PVE-E), thereby improving their employability opportunities, promote peace and strengthen resilience, the statement explained.
The project is part of the UNESCO’s ongoing ‘Revive the Spirit of Mosul’ initiative, launched in February 2018 to coordinate international effort to rebuild the heritage and revitalize the educational and cultural institutions of Mosul, in close cooperation with the government and people of Iraq, the statement explained.
The Japanese Ambassador to Iraq, Futoshi Matsumoto, emphasized in his speech the great success of all previous projects between UNESCO and the Japanese government, the statement clarified.
“We would like to commend the tireless efforts made by the Iraqi professionals and leaders in education sector that led to the reconstruction of Mosul,” Matsumoto stated.
“We look forward to the brighter future for the youth of Mosul so that they can build their own future. We continue to stand by them,” Matsumoto added.
In February 2018, UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay launched the flagship initiative ‘Revive the Spirit of Mosul’ as the organization’s response to the recovery of one of Iraq’s iconic cities, the statement elaborated.
‘Revive the Spirit of Mosul’ is not only about rebuilding heritage sites, but also about empowering the population as agents of change involved in the process of rebuilding their city through culture and education, the statement added.