"Education is not simply a moral imperative—it is the smart choice. Every dollar invested generates US$ 10 to US$ 15 in returns. Yet worldwide, some 61 million children are still not in school. Our shared ideals are simple. We want all children to attend primary school and to progress to secondary school and relevant higher education. We want them to acquire the literacy, numeracy and critical-thinking skills that will help them to succeed in life and live as engaged and productive global citizens.”

- UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon

If you would like to get involved, join FAWCO's Global Issues Team on Education.

 
Excerpts from the UN report "The Global Education First Initiative" (2012) are below:

It is time for the international community to face the fact that we have a crisis in education. We must be clear that if children are forced out of school, their governments and communities are also failing.

As we approach 2015, we must have unwavering support for achieving and exceeding the global education goals we have set for ourselves. It will take relentless and uncompromising focus on the most
marginalized children and countries lagging furthest behind to finish the job. But we cannot stop until
every child, youth and adult has the opportunity to go to school, learn and contribute to society. 

When we put Education First, we see an end to wasted potential -- we unleash the human spirit.

Meeting the urgent needs of our children and communities will take more than good intentions. To fulfill the promise of the Initiative, the United Nations Secretary-General will lend his convening power, supported by his Special Envoy for Global Education and all the education-related UN agencies, to leverage the expertise and experience of existing stakeholders, as well as find innovative ways to engage new networks. Everyone has a critical role to play. When we act with unity of purpose and rise above self interest, miracles will happen.

Non-governmental organizations and community organizations must play an important role as advocates for education, including mounting media campaigns, mobilizing networks and members and engaging governments, donors and multilaterals.

http://www.globaleducationfirst.org/files/GEFI_Brochure_ENG.pdf