A Message from Samuel Lee for New Academic Year
September 9, 2024
As we begin a new academic year at the Foundation Academy of Amsterdam, it is important to reflect on our mission and renew our commitment to the values that guide us. Our academy stands as a beacon of accessible academic education for all, driven by the belief that education is not a privilege for a select few but a right for everyone.
At the Foundation Academy, we offer low-budget academic programs designed to provide opportunities for those who may not otherwise have the chance to realize their full potential. We are dedicated to ensuring that knowledge and opportunities are accessible, lifting up individuals who dream of a better future, and ensuring that talent, no matter where it comes from, has the chance to shine. This year, we take special pride in aligning with Goal No. 4 of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals: ensuring inclusive and equitable education and promoting lifelong learning opportunities for all. This is not just an aspiration; it is the very core of our work. We believe in breaking down barriers—whether economic, social, or geographical—to provide education that empowers, uplifts, and inspires.
We stand with women who are denied access to education and whose fundamental rights are stripped away. In a world where, in some parts, simply being a woman or raising her voice is considered sinful, we refuse to stay silent.
Our commitment to gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls remains unwavering. This is not a side project but a central pillar of everything we do. To educate women and girls is to empower entire communities, and we are proud to play a role in this transformative process. We stand with women who are denied access to education and whose fundamental rights are stripped away. In a world where, in some parts, simply being a woman or raising her voice is considered sinful, we refuse to stay silent. We honor the strength of those women who continue to fight even when their existence is unjustly condemned. Their struggle is our struggle, and together we stand for the freedom, dignity, and rights of all women. If you know of anyone living in countries where access to higher education is denied due to discrimination, particularly women and girls, we are committed to exploring alternative ways to help them pursue their studies.
We also stand in solidarity with migrants, refugees, and stateless people who, despite unimaginable challenges, seek the opportunity to rebuild their lives. Our academy is a place where their voices are heard, their dreams are nurtured, and their potential is realized. Through our diverse programs—such as the School of Integrated Human Rights, the School of Global Studies, and the School of Theology—we work to ensure that all individuals, regardless of their circumstances, are empowered to pursue education and build a better future.
As we embark on this new academic year, let us carry forward the spirit of the Foundation Academy of Amsterdam—an academy where education knows no bounds, where solidarity is our strength, and where every individual, regardless of their background or circumstances, is given the tools to change their own lives and the world around them. May this academic year be filled with learning, growth, and new opportunities for all of us.
Education is a matter of Human Rights!
Samuel Lee
Founder & President
Foundation Academy of Amsterdam
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