Educationist says children will learn to appreciate cultural diversity

Dubai: The Dubai Cares campaign has struck a chord with many people and it is not surprising that the response has been so benevolent, said Sunny Varkey, Chairman of the Gems Education and Welcare World Health Systems.

Dubai is a place where many opportunities are provided to people at all levels of society, he said, noting that at such times, people feel a desire to contribute to a worthy cause.

In written comments to Gulf News, he said Dubai Cares is important as it "reaffirms education as the only long-term, sustainable solution to poverty."

It will help achieve the Millennium Development Goal of providing primary education to all children by 2015, he said.

The chairman of the Global Education Management Systems noted that education will teach children the core fundamentals of acceptance and understanding.

Tolerance

"That way, as children grow up, they learn to understand, accept, embrace and appreciate cultural diversity and its importance," he said. Varkey earlier had pledged Dh100 million over the next several years to the Dubai Cares Campaign.

The Group Chairman said while there is no greater cause than the eradication of poverty through education he noted, "In my personal view, understanding and tolerance are the core values that complement education."

Asked what the other outcome of providing education to one million children would be, he said, "It will not only eradicate poverty; education will also broaden the horizons for our future generations and help in creating a wholesome world of educated people. It will go a long way in reshaping communities, thus making a real, tangible and sustainable difference."