Action Blog: #AdvocacyWorks

We recognize that 2015 is a particularly transformative year for the global education community as we reflect upon the progress made toward meeting Education for All and the Millennium Development Goals and work to position education as central to the emerging Sustainable Development Goals. During this era of rapid change in education at the global and local levels, it is important to promote approaches and initiatives that advance not only educational equity, access, and quality, but also the education sector as a whole.

A lot is going on in the world. The term a lot is not an understatement or an exaggeration—a lot is going on and I am sure it can feel quite overwhelming. A lot going on can make you feel small and insignificant and unsure about whether you really can do anything to make the world a better place.

Since 2013 the school fees charged by public secondary schools in Kenya have risen dramatically--- some schools charging up to USD 1200 per year. This cost was far beyond the reach of many Kenyans.

For over 50 years, Malawi used the 1962 Education Act to govern its education system. This document was created before independence. The need to review the act became clear when taking into consideration the transformations that the education system went through over the years. 

It’s been 15 years since world leaders committed to improving lives of those living in poverty through the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). These goals have been an important point of reference for how far we’ve come, what remains to be done and the existing challenges. International donors also made a commitment that “no countries seriously committed to education for all will be thwarted in their achievement of [universal access] by a lack of resources.” 

Malawi banned child marriage last month. The new legislation increasing the legal age of marriage from 15 to 18 is a major victory for girls in Malawi, and a game changer for girls’ education everywhere. 

It is quite a lucky day indeed. The application for our FIFTH Youth Advocacy training is LIVE!

It is easy. It is quick. It has the opportunity to make history and best of all it is advocating for a RIGHT.

Tomorrow is Valentine’s Day! Some of you are thinking about what you’ll wear, where you will go and/or if it will go well. Others are thinking about staying in with your friends, hitting up a movie or just forgetting the day is happening. And well, let’s be honest there are a few of you who are just now remembering tomorrow is a holiday and trying to figure out where you can order flowers or get a gift last minute.

My 2015 probably started like many of yours—thinking to myself what can I pledge to do better, differently or not at all this year. Will I travel more, eat better, see my friends more often or will I just promise to do everything a bit better than I did last year?