DOHA — Princess Ameerah Al-Taweel, Vice Chairwoman and Secretary-General of the Alwaleed Bin Talal Foundation, attended the second day of the fourth annual World Innovation Summit for Education (WISE) in Doha, Qatar, on Wednesday. Following an invitation by Sheikha Moza Bint Nasser, Chairperson of Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development, Princess Ameerah attended the launch of a new global education initiative at WISE. Princess Ameerah commented on the importance of investing in children's education for long-term growth and sustained development. The summit was attended by more than 1,200 innovators, social entrepreneurs, ministers, educators and business leaders from more than 100 countries. “Educate A Child” is a global initiative that will deliver real progress toward the goal of bringing quality primary education to all the world's children. With 61 million children worldwide still deprived of their fundamental right to education, the Educate A Child initiative is partnering with the world's most expert organizations to bring high quality education to children affected by extreme poverty, conflict, natural disaster, prejudice, or any other factors that can make them hard to reach by conventional means. Speaking at WISE, Sheikha Moza said: “Educate A Child will reignite the world's commitment to the hardest-to-reach children, the forgotten children. “Our mission is to turn attention back to the disadvantaged children of today who could become confident adults tomorrow able to fulfill their potential if we just give them the opportunity.” WISE, an international, multi-sectoral platform for creative thinking, debate and purposeful action to build the future of education through innovation, was established by Qatar Foundation in 2009 with Sheikha Moza as its chairperson. WISE is now an ongoing initiative and a global reference in new approaches to education. Through both the annual summit and a range of continuing programs WISE is promoting collaboration and building the future of education. Princess Ameerah supports a wide range of humanitarian interests in both Saudi Arabia and around the world. Most recently, she inaugurated the new Department of Islamic Art at the Musée du Louvre in Paris with Prince Alwaleed in the presence of French President François Hollande. Alwaleed Foundation donated $20 million for the project in 2005. This historic gift to the Louvre is the largest made by the foundation and represents its ongoing commitment to the preservation of Islamic heritage and the promotion of global cultural understanding. — SG
