<p>At the start of the new century, governments and the international community set targets to dramatically improve educational opportunities for children, youth and adults over the next 15 years. They underscored that education is vital to reducing world poverty and fostering a more equitable, peaceful and sustainable future.</p><p>Are they living up to their promises? The Education for All Global Monitoring Report, an annual independent publication, aims to hold the global community to account by rigorously assessing progress, analysing effective policies, spreading knowledge about good practice, and alerting the world to emerging challenges. The 2002 Report, "Is the World on Track," warns that "almost one-third of the world's population live in countries where achieving the Education for All goals will remain a dream unless a strong concerted effort is made".</p>