A photography exhibition called “Education Without Borders” has documented Israel’s high standard of care for hospitalized children for the world to see.
No other Middle Eastern nation provides continuing education for hospitalized children, whether they are of Arab descent, Syrian refugees, children of illegal immigrants, the families of Palestinian authorities, or other minorities. All the photographs are by Shahar Azran, and the exhibition was curated by Onna Segec and Yaron Shin.
Any child who stays in the hospital for more than three days must have access to continuing education, which amounts to about 120,000 children and teenagers per year.
This is made possible by the SASA Setton Kav Or, an initiative by the World ORT Kadima Mada, and Israel’s Ministry of Education. Together, they provide programs for 35 medical centers in Israel, which include online platforms.
According to the World Jewish Congress, the Permanent Representative of Israel to the United Nations in Geneva, Ambassador Eviatar Manor, said:
The SASA Setton Kav Or Initiative is a great example of a successful partnership between government, civil society, and the private sector. It provides an innovative platform that connects and promotes. three major sets of human rights: the rights of the child, the right to health and the right to education.
The exhibition is being held at the Palais des Nations in Geneva, reports Ryan Hass of Jewish Political News and Updates. Around 200 visitors attended the opening event hosted by Israel’s UN mission and the World Jewish Congress (WJC), including ambassadors and diplomats from 22 countries.
According to the World Jewish Congress, the opening event, hosted by Israel’s UN mission and the WJC, included such speakers as Manor, CEO of the World Jewish Congress Robert Singer, SASA Setton Kav Or Initiative Founders Philippe and Hilda Setton, Hadassah University Hospital Mount Scopus Director Dr. Osnat Levzion-Korachh, and photographer Azran.
World ORT Kadima Mada CEO Avi Ganon said that showcasing the country’s combined commitment to health care and education is significant:
This exhibition reflects the State of Israel’s strong commitment to education and support for all Israeli children. Bringing education to hospitals helps restore a sense of normalcy to sick children who have been cut off from their friends and routines.
Singer spoke about the initiative’s necessity, saying:
Hundreds of thousands of Israeli children, as well as Syrian refugees, being treated in Israeli hospitals have already benefitted from this important initiative. This exhibition is the first of many upcoming events we have planned to host around the world — including in New York and Paris — to show the many faces of Israel society.
The opening coincided with the 30th UN Human Rights Council session, reports Haaretz.
A PDF version of the event’s catalog, which was designed by Shiran Sapir and Jey Tsymbaluk, can be found online.
