UoN – UNESCO partnership to empower the youth

UNESCO and the Swiss Development Corporation are working on a project that will empower a network of universities across Africa. Seven Kenyan Universities including the University of Nairobi will be engaged in the initial phase of this collaboration that will empower the youth. The launch date of this project is scheduled for September 2021.

UNESCO is currently working on a baseline survey and health assessment to figure out which initiatives are best suited for the different universities.  The intention is to build on already established initiatives while establishing new intiatives. RADA mobile health application, an initiative by University of Nairobi’s students will benefit from this collaboration. RADA provides access to information on sexual and reproductive health, professional counselling and peer counselling and acts as a helpline in case of an emergency within the University

UNESCO’s Director of the Multi-Sectoral Office for Eastern Africa in Nairobi Prof. Hubert Gijzen is keen on utilizing the education system to build the capacity of Kenyan Youth in a bid to actualizing the 17 Sustainable Development Goals.

Universities like the University of Nairobi should play a part in promoting Sustainable Development through teaching, research and disseminating knowledge to the public. There is a knowledge gap especially when it comes to SDGs and thus the current education system should be addressing the long-term needs of a sustainable society. .Education for sustainable development includes combining efforts with regards to issues like climate change, water and sanitation, clean energy and poverty.

Prof. Gijzen expressed the above mentioned sentiments in a meeting with the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Stephen Kiama. He was of the opinion that through collaborations between universities in Kenya and the rest of the world strategies will be put in place to deal with a changing physical, historical and social environment.

Education is the key to sustainable development and thus improving access to quality education for Kenyans will be imperative in transforming the society by equipping the people with knowledge, mannerisms and skills necessary for sustainable development.

The University of Nairobi and UNESCO are working on an MoU to support this partnership that will play a huge role in producing graduates with values, attitudes and behaviors that contribute to the endeavor for a sustainable society.

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