The joint committee of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation, MBRF, and the United Nations Organisation for Education, Science and Culture, UNESCO, Regional Office for Eastern Africa, have held a meeting in the Kenyan capital, Nairobi, to discuss its literacy project in Somalia, a programme funded by MBRF and being carried out by UNESCO.
Mohammed Obaid bin Ghannam, Secretary-General of the MBRF, praised the cooperation with UNESCO, who he said have been working in full partnership, bringing to play their experience and specialisation in the educational field; noting that the project is especially important, given the difficult conditions in Somalia which have impacted negatively on the continuation of the educational process there.
The Secretary-General said that experts from both groups discussed carrying out projects, along with the difficulties and challenges they face and seeking the means to overcome such problems.
Mohamed Djelid, Director, UNESCO Regional Office for Eastern Africa, said that UNESCO's ties with MBRF have created a real partnership, special interests and mutual concerns.
Jaleed went on to say that the meeting focused on the need for the participation of Somalia's central and local government, civil society organisations, tribal leaders and opinion leaders in this effort to fight illiteracy in the African country.
The meeting also covered the need to develop a curriculum, and highlighted the importance of coordinating with universities and civil society organisations, as well as the importance of providing libraries and modern teaching aids to help in the success of the programme.