After The Award Debacle, UNESCO Now Sings Praises Of Rosmah's PERMATA Programmes
UNESCO also heaped praises on the Malaysian government.
By Sadho Ram — 24 Sep 2016, 11:14 AM
Malaysia's education blueprint, which according to UNESCO Director-General (D-G) Irina Bokova, "promotes tolerance, respect, and mutual understanding" has been hailed as "a shining example for all countries to follow in the long-term fight against extremism"
UNESCO D-G Irina Bokova is all praise for the Malaysian government for focusing on education through its National Education Blueprint 2013-2025 as a long-term preventive measure against the spread of racial and religious terrorism worldwide.
Several local English sites, along with The Malay Mail Online, reported on the news.
A statement issued on the public launch of the Asia Society Centre for Global Citizenship Education, and published on the UNESCO website on 22 September, reads that Malaysia is a telling example for countries of the Asia and Pacific region that have been standing out as leaders in advancing education for peace.
While praising Malaysia's focus on inclusion and mutual respect in its education policies, Irina Bokova said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak, the Malaysian government had taken a strong stance against violent extremism
"Indeed, under the leadership of Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak, the Government of Malaysia has taken a firm stance against violent extremism through inclusion and education, which UNESCO considers the most effective long-term prevention to forces threatening to divide societies," read the statement published on UNESCO website.
"Malaysia's National Education Blueprint 2013-2025 ... encompasses attention to equity and quality, as well as the competences (sic) and skills required to live together on the basis of respect and mutual understanding."
In the same statement, D-G Irina Bokova also made a special mention of PERMATA Programmes, which was started under the guidance of Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor who is also its patron
"In this context, Permata, established upon the initiative of Datin Paduka Seri Rosmah Mansor, the First Lady of Malaysia, stands as an outstanding example of inclusion, reaching the most marginalized, through holistic approaches that start at the earliest age, promote values of peace, non-violence and respect for cultural diversity, and improve lifetime opportunities for children and youth," she said.