Invest in the Humanity of Those Left Furthest Behind

Today, the humanity of 128 million children and adolescents living in countries is impacted by armed conflicts, forced displacement and climate-induced disasters, where virtually every single one of their human rights are being challenged. The most central one, and in all too many cases, their only hope - their inherent right to an inclusive quality education, as enshrined in international human rights conventions - is brutally challenged, if not also willfully ignored or denied.

It is hard to wrap one’s head around the fact that this is still happening in the 21st century.

During ECW’s travels to witness first-hand their reality under COVID-19 in the Middle East and Sub-Saharan Africa, we have stood face to face with children, youth, teachers, ministers and communities suffering violence, dispossession, extreme poverty, displacement and a chronic fear of whether they will survive. We have seen their silent and painful struggle to exercise or deliver on the inherent right to an education. What they are facing is not the hope of humanity, but rather the despair of utter inhumanity.

 We can make a difference in all their lives; so why don’t we? Despite the economic recession wrought upon the world by COVID-19, there is still an abundance of financial resources in the world, which – if more equitably distributed – could be used to invest in their right to an inclusive and continued quality education. Wealthier governments and the private sector can afford to be humane and invest in humanity. It is not just a privilege or even duty to do so, but it is also what makes us humane. The future, dignity and empowerment of 128 million children and youth across the Middle East, Sub-Saharan Africa, Latin America and Asia urgently require access to a continued quality education. To deny or ignore their right to a quality education is inhumane.

This week, the Education Cannot Wait Fund’s ‘Case for Investment’ was unanimously approved during our High-Level Steering Group - chaired by The Rt. Hon. Gordon Brown, United Nations Special Envoy for Global Education - and composed of development ministers, director generals of development, heads of UN agencies, private sector CEOs and high-level representatives of civil society. The European Union and Canada were the first to announce contributions in support of ECW’s Case for Investment during the same meeting. With another 19 ECW strategic donor partners and many more out there yet to join ECW, we are optimistic that we can - and will - join forces to reach our target for 2021/22 of just $400 million.

To read the full story on Exposure INVEST IN THE HUMANITY OF THOSE LEFT FURTHEST BEHIND by Education Cannot Wait - Education Cannot Wait (exposure.co)