ICDL Calls on GCC Support for UNRWA Schools to Modernize Education

ICDL support campaign –a project aimed at helping Palestinian students gain computer skills

Jamil Ezzo with UNRWA

Dubai, UAE ( 23 April,2013) – ICDL GCC Foundation, an advocate for ICT skills, use and safety for-all called today on governments, corporate citizens and individuals in the GCC to contribute in support of quality education and further digital literacy in the schools of UNRWA (United Nations Relief and Works Agency) that accommodate Palestinian refugee children living in Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, West Bank and Gaza Strip. UNRWA estimates that youth, aged 15 to 30 years, represents 42% of the five million registered Palestinian refugees, who have been marginalised by decades of socio-political. Since 1949, the United Nations mandated agency has undertaken a number of projects that seek to train and develop the skills of the Palestinian youth in order to improve their social wellbeing and prepare them for employment

In a bid to support UNRWA’s education programmes ICDL GCC, together with one of its courseware providers Arab Scientific Publishing (ASP), has donated 5,300 ICDL courseware kits worth over US$200,000 (AED734,000), to be distributed to students in UNRWA schools in Lebanon. This is to be followed by a second donation for additional thousands of students in UNRWA schools in Jordan, Syria, West Bank and Gaza.

“Education is at the heart of UNRWA’s commitment to help you

ng refugees reach their full potential, train them to become productive members of society, and instil hope in them so they can overcome adversities“, said UNRWA Deputy Director in Lebanon, Roger Davies. “However, the UN schools for Palestine refugees are facing major challenges in securing financial support to employ computers in its teaching. The dire need for funding is not just limited to upgrading the physical infrastructure but also to improving teaching standards, so that teachers have deeper knowledge and awareness of the latest teaching methodologies“.

On March 25, Davies recognised ICDL’s support and expressed his appreciation on behalf of UNRWA and its schools. In response, Jamil Ezzo, Director General of ICDL GCC Foundation stated “We are happy to support UNRWA from within our domain. We intend to continue our support and plans to reach out to other organizations and individuals from the Gulf region to play part in UNRWA’s educational campaign and other humanitarian projects. There are a number of options by which one can support and I am certain that every organization can find from within their means to assist. The UNRWA website shows an example of how $16 only can help feed an entire family.”

In recent years, financial support to UNRWA has not kept up with the growing demand for services as a result of rising numbers and increasing need of registered Palestinian refugees in Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, West Bank and the Gaza Strip.