child laborers involved in hazardous work
children shut out of primary school
adolescent girls not in school
children with disabilities not in school; 1/4 of these children are blind
"Ensuring every child has the opportunity to go to school and learn is a longstanding passion of mine. Education breaks the cycle of poverty and unlocks better health and job prospects. It’s time to launch an unwavering campaign to put Education First."
Gordon Brown
United Nations Special Envoy for Global Education
"I grew up in a society ravaged by war and mired in poverty. Schools had been destroyed. UNESCO, UNICEF and other international partners provided books and school supplies to help pave road to recovery. I will never forget the hope that these basic tools gave us."
Ban Ki-moon
Secretary-General of the United Nations
No child should miss out on their birthright to education because of where they live, their gender, disability, background or family’s income.
The world’s failure to educate its children is a question of political will. Leaders must honor promises they have already made. We must see greater commitment from countries that can readily afford to ensure its population is in school and more support for those who need assistance.
We intend to be judged by our results. No matter what the increases in awareness or financing, if we are unable to get 61 million children into school and learning, then we collectively will have failed. More than that, promise made by all members of the United Nations will not be kept. We made a promise and need to keep it.
