Nigeria Volunteers Network (NVN) Holds Global SDGs International School Summit

Nigeria Volunteers Network (NVN) holds its maiden Global SDGs International School Summit in collaboration with the Shining Star International School, Abu Dhabi, UAE. The summit had schools, stakeholders, and partners joining virtually from across the globe while students from Nigeria were hosted at the United Nations Information Center (UNIC), Lagos.

The theme of the summit – Quality Education, Living the Dream placed special emphasis on the ability of quality education to end poverty. The summit’s keynote speaker, the principal of Shining Star International School in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, emphasized the importance of collaboration among stakeholders, organizations, policymakers, and educators to ensure that students receive a high-quality education. Abhilasha Sighn emphasized the need for “rich learning experiences to be provided to children so that they can develop into skilled, wealthy, autonomous learners who can live independent lives and achieve success in the future.”

“SDG Goal 4—Quality Education—commits to delivering inclusive and equitable education to all people. Growing up, children have a dream of going to school where they will feel safe, be able to learn and be accepted for who they are. This ideal is now unattainable due to the learning standards for many schools in underdeveloped nations. NVN is raising awareness to ensure that excellent education is at least partially attained by 2030”, Vincent Odigie, NVN team lead conveys at the summit.

The Director of United Nations Information Center (UNIC) Nigeria, Mr. Ronald David Kayanja who was represented by Mrs. Bolanle Olumekor, was delighted to host the summit at the center. She was also pleased that young people are beginning to comprehend the SDGs globally. She underlined goal 13, which is taking action on climate change, and challenged the students to think of themselves as ambassadors for the SDGs. She also urged them to do more to advance the SDGs

Godwin Okhawere, JP, Programme Director of NVN, stated that “the goal of the summit is to give a forum for students to have a say in the educational growth and to design standards that would enable every child to live the quality education dream.”

The Nigeria Volunteers Network (NVN) is a non-governmental organization that was founded to give volunteers in Nigeria’s 36 states and Federal Capital the much-needed support platform they need to advocate the 17 Sustainable Development Goals. NVN is the initiator of the 17 Stories Fest happening at the Lagos Book and Art Festival (LABAF) in Lagos, Nigeria.