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Institute of the Blessed Virgin Mary - Loreto Generalate
Quality education is a transformative right. It is a powerful infrastructure of development, including in the achievement of the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals, and an important investment of all governments.
The Institute of the Blessed Virgin Mary (IBVM) and VIVAT International have been educating and collaborating with local communities for over 400 years. Faith-based organisations play a vital role in addressing inequality and during the pandemic provided access to digital technology and/or alternative learning facilities ensuring that children continue to have access to education.
IBVM Sisters were invited to establish a girls’ secondary school in Rumbek. In 2008 Sr. Orla Treacy IBVM opened the Loreto Girls Secondary School with 39 girls and now educates 1,600. Due to the extreme poverty, violence and food insecurity, Loreto Rumbek not only provides education but also offers scholarships, nutritious meals, access to water and sanitation, health support, protection and advocacy.
Benigno P. Beltran SVD priest, established the Sandiwaan Center for Learning (SCL) in 1987 in Smokey Mountain, Tondo.
The SCL initiated a program with the Department of Education’s Bureau of Alternative Learning System to give out-of-school youths an opportunity to complete their high school education through a successful model of basic digital skills learning software, and using computers in the classrooms.
Sr. Orla and Fr. Benigno will share how through providing quality education and addressing gender equality, their organisations are also addressing most of the SDGs. A member state (Ireland) will talk on the importance of SDG17.
Two graduate students will share their experience demonstrating the important linkages of the SDGs, particularly SDG4, SDG5 and SDG17.
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