Celebrating Global Initiative’s Anniversary, Deputy Secretary-General Stresses

 

Critical Role of Education in Development Goals, Post-2015 Agenda

 

Following are UN Deputy Secretary-General Jan Eliasson’s remarks, as prepared for delivery, to the Global Education First Initiative (GEFI) High-level event, “Quality Education for the World We Want”, in New York on 24 September:

On behalf of the Secretary-General, I wish to express my deep appreciation to the Heads of States and Governments present here today; and to our very special guest, the First Lady of the United States, Michelle Obama.  I would also like to thank Special Envoy Gordon Brown for his ardent championing of global education.

I extend a warm welcome to you, to members of the Steering Committee, to other partners of the Global Education First Initiative and to all of you for participating in this event.

Today, we mark the second anniversary of an initiative that has galvanized awareness of the critical role of education for all areas of development.  I would like to underline the leading role that young people have played in driving this Initiative since its inception.  They have been at the forefront through the Global Education First Initiative’s Youth Advocacy Group, boldly demanding quality education for the world they want.

Today, young people are gathering signatures for the Global Education Countdown petition, which they are hoping will be the biggest in history!  As the number of signatures grows, we must not forget some uncomfortable facts.

There are 58 million children of primary school age still being denied their right to education.  There are a staggering 250 million who are unable to read, write and count even after four years of schooling.  Taken together, these numbers give us 308 million reasons why the Secretary-General launched his Global Education First Initiative in 2012.

The world is experiencing a global learning crisis.  Girls in particular all too frequently face a range of obstacles.  Quality education is a fundamental human right.  And it is also a critical link to all of our aspirations for the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals and for the post-2015 development agenda.

Quality education is more than an entry point into the job market.  It is the foundation for personal fulfilment, gender equality, social cohesion, sustainable development, economic growth and responsible global citizenship.

Many countries have made major strides forward in the area of education.  They are showing that dramatic progress is possible with a combination of political will and focused investments in education.

The Secretary-General and I are counting on your continued support for the Global Education First Initiative.  And millions of children across the world are looking to you to help them realize their potential and their dreams.  I thank all of you for your engagement and commitment to this hugely important cause.  Thank you.

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For information media • not an official record