BPE to Host Side Event at the 78th UN General Assembly

Bakhita Partnership for Education (BPE) to host Compelling Side Event at the 78th UN General Assembly, spotlighting Catholic Education’s role in Africa’s development,

The Bakhita Partnership for Education (BPE) in partnership with the Conrad Hilton Foundation and The African Union International Centre for the Education of Girls and Women in Africa (AU/CIEFFA), announces its participation in the upcoming United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDG) Summit 2023, scheduled to take place in New York City at the on September 18th and 19th at Fordham Law School at Lincoln Center (Constantino Room). This highly anticipated summit will not only assess the progress made towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030 but also ignite a new wave of accelerated action.

“We are thrilled to announce our involvement in the UN SDG Summit 2023,” says Fr. Charles Chilufya, S.J., Chairman of the Bakhita Partnership for Education. He added that “The summit provides a crucial opportunity for us to prioritize and elevate the narratives, experiences, and insights of girls from underserved and marginalized communities from across Africa, some who will share their journey in person and online at this event. We will also reflect on the strides we have made thus far and to rally together for a future where the SDGs become a reality.”

Aligned with the transformative vision of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDG) Summit 2023, the Bakhita Partnership for Education will host a compelling side event during the summit. This gathering aims to showcase the significant contribution of Catholic education in expediting the achievement of sustainable development goals in Africa, with a special focus on SDG 4 – Quality Education.

Fr. Chilufya emphasizes the instrumental role that Catholic education plays in driving progress towards the SDGs, particularly in Africa.

“Our side event will highlight the power of education rooted in Catholic values to transform societies and uplift communities,” he noted, adding that “Through our work, we have witnessed firsthand the positive impact that access to quality education can have on individuals and their communities.

We seek to recognize and appreciate the work of the Catholic religious sisters in promoting girls’ education and gender-responsive, transformative education. These dedicated women serve not just as educators but also as advocates, delivering accessible education to girls, particularly in marginalized communities.

Their commitment extends beyond academic instruction, focusing on a holistic model of development that encompasses spiritual, moral, and social growth. In this way, they leave a transformative impact on their students and society at large.”

The Bakhita Partnership for Education, in collaboration with key stakeholders, will use the side event platform to share best practices, success stories, and innovative approaches concerning Catholic education’s role in addressing poverty, inequality, and environmental challenges in Africa.

The aim is to inspire greater investment and cooperation in the education sector, ultimately propelling progress towards achieving the SDGs.

The chairman urges all participants of the UN SDG Summit 2023 to attend the Bakhita Partnership for Education’s side event to learn about the organization’s initiatives and explore opportunities for collaboration.

“We believe that by harnessing the strength of partnerships and embracing the right educational tools and strategies, we can truly make a difference in the lives of individuals and communities across Africa.”

The event has attracted participation from Government officials from across the world, Youth advocates for girls’ education, Civil society organizations working on education, gender, and human rights, Private sector representatives interested in promoting gender-transforming education and Philanthropic organizations.

Some of the speakers and panelists at the event include Prof. Jeffrey Sachs – Special Adviser to United Nations Secretary-General on the SDGs, Hon. Ezekiel Machogu – Kenya’s Minister of Education, Hon. Douglas Syakalima – Zambia’s Minister of Education, Sister Jane Wakahiu, LSOSF, Ph.D. – Hilton Foundation Associate Vice President & Head of Catholic Sisters, Mr. Yougbare Boubakar – AU International Centre for Girls and Women’s Education in Africa, Antara Ganguli – UN Girls’ Education Initiative (UNGEI), among others.