GCE-US Applauds the U.S. on Becoming a Global Education First Champion
January 28, 2014
Washington, D.C.—-Today, the Global Campaign for Education-US Chapter congratulates the U.S. on becoming a U.N. Global Education First Initiative Champion. The Global Education First Initiative (GEFI), launched in September 2012 by the United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, seeks to give the world the final push in ensuring access to a quality education for all children around the world-one of the current Millennium Development Goals.
According to the United States Department of State media note, “as a Champion Country, the United States will serve as a global advocate for strategic investments in education, including better use of technology and innovation to enhance learning and workforce development.” The notice highlights US government’s efforts in support of GEFI that include “...USAID’s Room to Learn project, annual contributions to the multilateral Global Partnership for Education (GPE) Fund, various domestic programs to ensure equal access and educational excellence, and the recently-launched J. Christopher Stevens Virtual Exchange Program.”
Other UN Global Education First Champion Countries include Australia, Bangladesh, Benin, Brazil, China, Croatia, Denmark, Guyana, South Africa, and Tunisia, with UNESCO serving as the Secretariat.
“We are extremely pleased and excited that the U.S. is taking a bold step forward in supporting a quality education for all children,” said GCE-US Executive Director Dr. Edwin Gragert. “We look forward to working to support and expand these efforts.”