The Global Education First Initiative (GEFI) is a reflection of UNESCO’s vision that education is the most effective way to fight poverty, improve health and well-being, generate growth and promote responsible citizenship.

UNESCO has played a lead role in shaping GEFI, with the Organization hosting the Secretariat and Director-General Irina Bokova serving as Executive Secretary of the High-Level Steering Committee.

Director-General Bokova said since the launch of the Global Education First Initiative, there has been increased political commitment to education at the highest levels and a broad coalition of partners has mobilized around the same conviction, education must be for all by 2015.

“Cutting back on education means cutting the most powerful investment a country can make. Reducing aid to education means undermining the sustainability of all development. Education is a human dignity imperative, it is a development imperative. This is the message of the Global Education First Initiative, and we are taking it across the world.”