Nicolas believes that education in Africa – and especially girls’ education – is a critical investment in the future. When children attend school regularly, every development goal set by the international community becomes achievable.

APO Group is a private sector partner of UNESCO’s Global Education Coalition, donating resources and expertise to minimize educational disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Other private sector partners in the coalition include Microsoft, Google, Facebook, Zoom and Logitech.

At a time when 91 percent of the world’s student population is affected by COVID-19 school closures, the Global Education Coalition supports countries in scaling up their best distance learning practices and reaching children and young people who are most at risk. More than 1.5 billion children in 192 countries are affected by COVID-19 school closures.

The Coalition’s multilateral partners include the International Labor Organization, the UN High Commission for Refugees, The United Nations Children’s Fund, the World Health Organization, the World Food Programme, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, and many more. Together, these organizations have stressed the need for getting swift and coordinated support to the most disadvantaged children in countries all over the world in order to mitigate the adverse impacts of school closures.