After two flights and 20 hours in the air, leaders from the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) arrived in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The immediate sight of palm trees and the sensation of a post-sandstorm breeze made it clear that we were a long way from home. But once we met our Saudi counterparts, it was evident that we were among fellow trailblazers in early childhood education who shared our dedication to the young children we serve.
As a global initiative that advocates for people’s rights to quality education worldwide, The Right to Education Index (RTEI) brings a lot of things to the table. We bring our partnership with civil society and research institutions, we bring our expertise in international development. We also bring data.
RTEI aims to ensure that all people, no matter where they live, can enjoy their right to a quality education. And the way we strive to accomplish such a goal is the perfect example of how data can be used to influence global education.
On July 18, 2018, USAID released a draft of the new U.S. Government Strategy on International Basic Education and opened up a window for feedback from the public. Global Campaign for Education-US (GCE-US) and our coalition partners collaborated to propose recommendations for the U.S. Government International Education Strategy, which outlines plans for the implementation of the READ Act.
Global Campaign for Education-US applauds USAID and all government agencies involved in the development of the whole of government education strategy. In particular, we applaud the focus on inclusion, specifically for children with disabilities, girls and marginalized groups, the references to alignment and coordination with multilateral partners, the focus on education in conflict and crisis settings, the inclusion of early childhood education, and the commitment to data and reporting. GCE-US has outlined key points from the U.S. Government Strategy on International Basic Education and incorporated our topline recommendations for the whole of U.S. Government Strategy on International Basic Education. Please view a full summary of GCE-US recommendations here.
Thank you for your advocacy for global education! YOU have an opportunity to personally influence policy. Please share your input on the new U.S. Government Strategy on International Basic Educationby July 22 >>> https://www.usaid.gov/education/usg-strategy-draft.
Please tell your leaders what you want the next international education policy to look like today
In July, the Global Campaign for Education-US has the opportunity to speak on multiple panels for the Global Scholars program which operates through American University. It is essential to have discussions concerning advocacy for younger generations and to remember to empower and support our youth as they continue on their journey towards advocacy work. Young people such as the students participating in the Global Scholars program are a part of the future generation who will one day shape the world we live in. Let’s empower them.
Education enables girls to fulfill their potential to transform their lives, families, and communities. Educated girls have better employment opportunities, marry later, and go on to have fewer, healthier children. Likewise, increasing girls’ access to education contributes to improved health, development, and economic growth.
In June, the United States government decided to leave the United Nations Human Rights Council. This decision ultimately brings forth different implications questioning the stance the US is choosing to take within the global arena regarding human rights. To protect human rights for all global citizens (including the right to quality education), it is critical now more than ever to uphold the dignity of the institutions we take membership in as opposed to abandon them outright.
GCE-US holds a Youth Advocacy Summit which gives youth advocates a platform to speak to their representatives to advocate for global education on Capitol Hill. The summit includes a training day with panelists from various coalition members within the Global Campaign for Education and a day of scheduled congressional meetings where the Youth Advocates can directly speak to their representatives about why access to quality education around the world matters to them. Read about my experience here.
The word “citizenship” often floods out of our mouths in hot contention. We like to pair it with words like "immigration” or “asylum seeker.” But when we’re not putting two and two together, citizenship is seldom heard. Although the definition of a citizen is incessantly questioned for those who lack the title, constituents like myself don’t often receive the same examination.
Learn about essential points and strategies proposed by leaders in global education such as Yasmine Sherif - director of Education Cannot Wait, UN High Commissioner Matthew Reynolds, and Meighan Stone - Senior Fellow for Women and Foreign Policy Program within the Council on Foreign Relations. Yasmine Sherif, Meighan Stone, and Matthew Reynolds speak to the escalating issue of providing quality education for children, especially girls, in crisis settings.
