April 22, 2013

Washington, D.C.—-Today, the Global Campaign for Education-US Chapter (GCE-US) announces Global Action Week 2013. Global Action Week highlights activities around the world that advocate for the urgent need for universal quality education. Taking place in over 100 countries, and focusing on the importance of teachers to quality education, the week’s activities vary from informative trips to government leaders, classroom discussions, social media activities and more.

Around the world, 61 million children of primary school age do not have access to an education and even more, an estimated 250 million students around the world are in school but not cannot read or write.

“Education is a right that not all children and youth around the world have access to, but truly opens the door to all other aspects of development,” said GCE-US Executive Director, Ed Gragert. “This week serves to highlight how actions during the year by anyone and everyone can bring change to communities around the world. It is the actions of people and their communities that will move government leaders to act on the behalf of their citizens. Join us this week and use your voice and action to bring about change.”

As part of Global Action Week, GCE-US brought 25 students from around the United States to learn about education for all and meet with their Members of Congress in its first annual, Student Advocacy Training, gaining valuable perspectives from such organizations as USAID, Global Partnership for Education, Sesame Workshop and National Public Radio.

GCE-US, RESULTS and the Basic Education Coalition, will host a reception with the theme “Every Child Needs a Teacher,” on Tuesday, April 23, 2013 from 5-7p.m at Cannon House Office Building, Room 121 that will feature Girl Rising.

Global Action Week endorsements from around the web:

• UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s endorsement of the Global Campaign for Education, Global Action Week and the importance of teachers in meeting the MDG goal of universal access to primary education
• Irina Bokova, Director-General of UNESCO, endorses Global Action Week
• Angelique Kidjo, singer/songwriter and founder of the Batonga Foundation shares her story of why teachers matter and about Global Action Week

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The Global Campaign for Education, U.S. Chapter (GCE-US) is a broad-based coalition of U.S. organizations including non-profit organizations, teachers’ unions, foundations, faith-based groups, and think tanks dedicated to ensuring universal quality education.