Queen of Belgium stresses education as key to sustainable development in address at Armenia’s oldest university

Queen Mathilde of Belgium, visiting Armenia as an advocate for the UN Sustainable Development Goals, delivered remarks at Yerevan State University.

Speaking to the students and academic staff, the Queen of Belgium noted that she is at the oldest university in Armenia—an ideal place to reaffirm the importance of education and to remember that education is a fundamental right of every child, although, unfortunately, in many cases, it is still not guaranteed in today’s world.

“Education contributes to the development of our individuality, but it is also the shortest path to a bright professional future. It is one of the most effective tools in the fight against poverty and marginalization. That is why the United Nations has made education one of the priority goals of sustainable development to be achieved by 2030. Unfortunately, we must acknowledge that, globally, we are not on the right track to achieving this goal. In some areas, we are even regressing, or the fundamental principles are being called into question. However, we cannot afford to accept defeat. In such critical times, it is more important than ever to take responsibility and invest our efforts in achieving the goals we adopted in 2015 and in defending those values,” Queen Mathilde of Belgium said.

According to Her Majesty Queen Mathilde, having a well-educated youth at the national level is undoubtedly a tremendous asset. The Queen of Belgium said that education should be a priority in political decision-making processes, as it lays the foundation for the human capital needed to build a social state. Education must be high-quality, relevant to the times, and accessible to all. She emphasized that this implies teacher training, as well as the tools and methods used for that purpose, deserve the utmost attention and careful consideration.

“Each visit has further convinced me that education is the key to a better future for billions of people. For girls and women in particular, it is also a vital means of empowerment and of combating gender discrimination. Tomorrow, I will visit a preschool institution to highlight the importance of starting education early for all children. Today, education systems face enormous and complex challenges. For example, five years ago, COVID disrupted regular schooling and created numerous difficulties for students. My academic background in speech therapy and psychology has helped me better understand the challenges students face,” the Queen said.

She emphasized that in conflict zones, teaching is often interrupted, classes are canceled, and schools are closed—further compounding the harm already experienced by young people in those areas and making them more vulnerable to violence and exploitation. Added to this are the challenges posed by new technologies, which, although they promote progress in many ways, are costly and can widen the gap between the wealthy and the poor.

“Artificial intelligence prompts us to question the importance of certain types of learning. Why acquire language skills if ChatGPT can translate for you? Why learn how to solve a math equation when a computer can do it much faster with a single click? While artificial intelligence undoubtedly holds great potential, it should never be allowed to diminish our creativity or weaken our critical thinking skills. As UN Secretary-General António Guterres stated at this year’s General Assembly, technology must be our servant, not our master. I will use my time in your country to learn more about the challenges facing the education system and the aspirations of Armenia’s youth,” the Queen of Belgium said.

Armenian Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sport, Zhanna Andreasyan, welcomed the Queen of Belgium at the YSU and said that Her Majesty’s visit is a great honor both for Armenia and the university.

“As an advocate for the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, Her Majesty plays a vital role on the global agenda by promoting the values of education, social solidarity, and sustainable development. These values fully align with Armenia’s national priorities, particularly in the fields of education and youth empowerment,” said Andreasyan.

The Minister of Education, Science, Culture, and Sport emphasized that her ministry is firmly committed to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, which are reflected in the ministry’s strategic policy documents and sectoral programs.

“Our efforts are especially focused on ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education, fostering innovation and research, promoting cultural diversity, and encouraging youth participation—all of which are essential components of sustainable development. Your Majesty, we are confident that your visit will strengthen our cooperation and open new opportunities for advancing the Sustainable Development Goals,” the Minister added.

Yerevan State University Rector Hovhannes Hovhannisyan, welcoming Her Majesty the Queen of Belgium, gave a detailed overview of the university’s activities, ongoing programs, and recent achievements. He expressed gratitude to the Queen of Belgium for her comprehensive speech.

“YSU addresses various tasks within its mission, which includes providing quality education, conducting research and innovation, and serving the community. Yerevan State University has always played an active role and taken initiative in implementing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. As Armenia’s leading academic and research center, YSU is fully aware of its responsibility and commitment to promoting the principles and ideas of sustainable development, particularly through educational and research activities,” the Rector said.