Teachers Task Force for EFA

UN Global Education First Initiative – United Nations Secretary General’s Global Initiative on Education

1. Education as a right takes centre stage at New York event

   On Human Rights day, and as the United Nations continued work on the next stage of global development goals, Education International and the Global Education First Initiative gathered education advocates in New York to stress the critical importance of universal education as a continued international objective.

2. Respect for all other human rights starts with the Right to Education

   A blog by Bertheline Nina Tchangoue, a member of the Youth Advocacy Group of the Global Education First Initiative, ahead of Human Rights Day on 10 December. Education is a fundamental and essential human right that helps exercise all other human rights.

3. UNICEF Podcast: A more accessible world so that everyone can dream as big as they want

   This episode of UNICEF's 'Beyond School Books' podcast series commerates International Day of Persons with Disabilities on 3 December. The theme this year is "Break Barriers, Open Doors: for an inclusive society and development for all”. This podcast features Munyaradzi Mahiya, an inspiring advocate for a more inclusive society.

4. Press release: UNESCO Global Citizenship Forum opens in Bangkok

   The first international Forum on Global Citizenship Education opened in Bangkok, Thailand, today. Organized by UNESCO, the Forum is based on the premise that teaching children how to read and write is not enough, and builds on the momentum created by the Global Education First Initiative (GEFI).

5. Joint Statement on the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women

   A joint statement on the occasion of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women on 25 November from the UN Girls' Education Initiative, Education International and the Global Education First Initiative.

6. Press release: Global Partnership for Education grants more than half a billion US dollars for quality education for children in 14 low-income countries

   The Board of Directors of the Global Partnership for Education approved US$549 million in grants to 14 developing countries, providing critical funding and momentum toward quality education for all children. This new financing strongly reflects the Global Partnership's top priorities.
   

7. 50.5% Does Matter!

   A blog by Dejan Bojanić, a member of the Youth Advocacy Group of the Global Education First Initiative, on the 8th UNESCO Youth Forum. The Forum brought together over 500 youth delegates and this year's  theme was, “Youth and Social Inclusion: Civic Engagement, Dialogue, and Skills Development," where education was a large part of the discussion and subsequent recommendations.

8. UN, World Bank boost support for women’s health, girls’ education in Africa’s Sahel

   Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and World Bank Group President Jim Yong Kim pledged to support an initiative to improve women’s reproductive health and girls’ education in Africa’s Sahel region, and to invest $200 million in a new project to achieve these goals.

9. The Smartest Investment: A Framework for Business Engagement in Education

   Last month, business leaders convened for the UN Global Compact Leaders Summit in New York, where UNICEF, UNESCO, the UN Special Envoy for Global Education, and the UN Global Compact launched a new framework for business to engage in education. 

10. Call for applications: Youth Advocacy Group for the Global Education First Initiative

    The Youth Advocacy Group (YAG) for the Global Education First Initiative is now accepting applications for new members. This is an exciting opportunity to join a dynamic group of young people who are committed to ensuring that every child receives a relevant, quality education.