Advancing Education through Partnerships

In late August 2024, Pia Rebello Britto, UNICEF’s Global Director of Education and Adolescent Development, visited the Republic of Korea (ROK), marking an important moment in strengthening global education initiatives through innovative partnerships. Her visit was a cornerstone in UNICEF’s efforts to address the global learning crisis and to foster collaborative relationships with key stakeholders in the ROK. Throughout her stay Pia engaged with lawmakers, government officials, educators, and students, emphasizing the transformative power of education, particularly for children in vulnerable countries.

On 27 August, Pia attended a major event at Korea’s National Assembly: the inauguration of this legislative session’s Korean Parliamentary Friends of UNICEF (KPFU). This event, held in the Main Assembly Building, brought together members of the Korean Parliament, including the Hon. In-Young Lee, President of the Korean Parliamentary League on Children, Population, and Environment, and the Hon. Yang-Soo Lee, the KPFU Leader. This was the first official gathering of KPFU since the commencement of the 22nd session of the National Assembly in June, with 39 parliamentarians pledging their support for UNICEF’s work.

During her keynote address, Pia delivered a passionate speech on the global learning crisis, stressing the importance of partnerships in ensuring every child has access to quality education. She highlighted how UNICEF's educational programmes have transformed the lives of children worldwide, particularly in regions impacted by conflict, poverty, and inequality.

Pia's message resonated deeply with the parliamentarians as they discussed ways to enhance Korea’s role in global education. The event concluded with a symbolic cake-cutting ceremony signifying a renewed commitment to supporting UNICEF’s mission of promoting children’s rights and addressing the educational challenges faced by millions of children globally.

Later that evening, Pia was guest of honour at a gala dinner hosted by Korea’s Minister of Education, Mr. Ju-Ho Lee. The dinner, held at the Shilla Hotel, served as a networking opportunity for speakers and participants of the upcoming 11^th Education Official Development Assistance (ODA) Conference and Global Education and Innovation Summit.

Pia used the occasion to emphasize UNICEF’s ongoing efforts to address global education challenges. She spoke about the urgent need to enhance digital learning, particularly in underserved regions, and highlighted Korea’s role as a leader in education. Pia noted how Korea’s innovative practices could serve as models for other countries, and she expressed her enthusiasm for deepening UNICEF’s partnership with the Ministry of Education.

On 28 August, Pia met with the staff of the Korean Committee for UNICEF (KCU) at a town hall meeting. This gathering, held at the KCU office, was a chance for Pia to provide an overview of the global education landscape and UNICEF’s ongoing efforts to address the global learning crisis. Pia used this opportunity to emphasize the importance of education as a driver of development and innovation; and she highlighted UNICEF’s work in delivering quality education to marginalized children, emphasizing that education is essential for achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The discussion also centred on the need for increased funding to support UNICEF’s education initiatives, including potential funding opportunities through public-private partnerships.

The KCU staff were highly appreciative of Pia’s presentation and expressed their commitment to supporting UNICEF’s educational programmes. The meeting underscored the importance of raising awareness about global education challenges and the critical role that UNICEF plays in addressing these challenges.

Pia also visited Ewha Womans University, where she delivered a special lecture to students and held a bilateral meeting with Prof. Minah Kang of the Department of Public Administration. The meeting focused on the establishment of a collaborative framework between UNICEF and Korean academic institutions, particularly in the realm of ODA, and it explored opportunities for joint research initiatives, knowledge sharing, and capacity-building projects between Ewha University and UNICEF.

Pia’s lecture, which focused on UNICEF’s global education initiatives, inspired students, including many from developing countries participating in the Ewha-KOICA Scholarship Programme. She discussed how UNICEF ensures equitable access to education for all children, especially in regions affected by conflict and disaster. 

On 29 August, Pia delivered a keynote address at the 11^th Education ODA Conference, hosted by Korea’s Ministry of Education. The theme of the conference, "Pathways to Innovative and Inclusive Education: Leveraging Digital Transformation and Collaboration for Sustainable Development," aligned perfectly with UNICEF’s goals of promoting digital education and strengthening education systems through innovative partnerships, particularly in marginalized communities.

Pia showcased UNICEF’s leadership in digital education, highlighting how technology can help overcome barriers to learning and ensure that all children have access to quality education. She emphasized the importance of collaboration among countries, institutions, and sectors to achieve SDG 4 – ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education for all by 2030. The conference also provided an excellent platform for participants to explore new synergies between Korea’s ODA education programmes and UNICEF’s global initiatives.

Overall, Pia’s official three-day visit to Korea was a resounding success, strengthening UNICEF’s relationships with key stakeholders and advancing the organization’s mission to ensure every child has access to quality education. From Korea’s National Assembly to leading universities and government officials, her message was clear: through innovative partnerships and collaboration we can bridge the global learning gap and create a brighter future for children around the world.