Her Majesty Queen Rania Al Abdullah of Jordan
via video message
Her Majesty Queen Rania Al Abdullah’s activities in Jordan focus on three core issues: promoting excellence and innovation in education; building prosperous communities; and supporting greater sustainable development across the region. Last year, Queen Rania launched “Madrasati” (“My School”) a public-private school adoption initiative aimed at refurbishing Jordan’s public schools.
As UNICEF’s Eminent Advocate for Children, Queen Rania is a staunch defender of children’s welfare. She believes every child is entitled to a free, quality education, and the hope and opportunity that accompanies it.
Her Majesty is also vocal about the importance of cross cultural dialogue to foster greater understanding, tolerance and acceptance across the world; Her YouTube initiative in 2008 was a visible and successful example of this.
Graça Machel
Graça Machel is a renowned international advocate for women and children’s rights and has been a social and political activist over many decades. As Minister of Education and Culture in Mozambique she was responsible for overseeing an increase in primary school enrolment from 40 per cent of children in 1975 to over 90 per cent of boys and 75 per cent of girls by 1989.
In 1994, the Secretary General of the United Nations appointed her as an independent expert to carry out an assessment of the impact of armed conflict on children. Her groundbreaking report established a new and innovative agenda for the comprehensive protection of children caught up in war.
Graça Machel is President of the Foundation for Community Development, which she founded in 1994. She has received many international awards for her work.
