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Past Issue - April 2004 News Visit our Photo Gallery for pictures of Action Week around the World Note: Most hyperlinks will open in a new window. Please close the new window in order to be automatically returned to the GCE site. LATEST NEWS MORE HEADS OF STATE JOIN WORLD's BIGGEST LOBBY YOUR SIGNATURE WILL HELP US MAKE IT A MILLION As pictures and reports continue to flood in from the 105 countries that took part in last week's lobby for education, our estimate of the number directly involved in lobby activities has topped 800,000 - including an amazing 90,000 in Italy who have taken part in an online message action organised by the teachers' union. Leaders of more countries, including Senegal and The Netherlands, have agreed to meet with children soon to receive the letters and maps prepared for them during the World's Biggest Lobby, while Mozambique's Joaquim Chissano met with children this Tuesday. PLEASE HELP US TO MAKE IT A MILLION - CLICK HERE TO SEND A MESSAGE TO YOUR HEAD OF STATE 29 April 2004 LEARNING TO SURVIVE: UPE WOULD SAVE 7 MILLION FROM HIV, SAYS REPORT Seven million cases of HIV could be prevented in a decade if all children in the world received a complete primary education, reveals a ground-breaking new report released by the Global Campaign for Education. 26 April 2004 "MOMENT OF TRUTH" FOR FTI, SAYS WORLD BANK'S WOLFENSOHN http://web.worldbank.org/WBSITE/EXTERNAL/NEWS/0,,contentMDK:20195326~menu PK:34476~pagePK:34370~piPK:34424~theSitePK:4607,00.html World Bank President James Wolfensohn warned on Sunday that the Education for All movement faces a “moment of truth.” Speaking at a press conference on education during the Spring Meetings, Wolfensohn said: “We've made all of the excuses. Now can we come up with the dough?” GCE chairperson Kailash Satyarthi launched new research showing that 7 million new cases of HIV could be prevented over a decade if every child got a complete primary education. Responding to this, Norwegian Development Minister Hilde Johnson said that rich countries face a clear choice – to invest in the Fast Track Initiative or let another generation go without the life-saving benefits of education. She challenged the Group of Eight (G8) richest countries in particular to increase their contributions to the FTI. Twelve countries whose EFA plans have been endorsed through the Fast Track Initiative still face significant funding gaps, Wolfensohn said. “We’ve already given at the office” was the initial response from some donors when approached for additional funds for FTI endorsed countries, he said. However, the Bank president expressed optimism that the Fast Track is now “on track” to mobilise substantial new resources for countries with good plans. Development ministers from France, the UK, Canada, the Netherlands and Norway also expressed strong commitment to expanding the FTI. Achieving Education for All will depend on the success of the Fast Track Initiative, said France’s new development minister, Xavier Darcos. “As a global partnership and framework in response to the Millennium Development Goals, the Education for All Fast Track Initiative is unprecedented. It shows just what is possible when efforts are directly linked to developing countries' Poverty Reduction Strategies and their national Sector Plans. In a relatively short time, through the Fast Track Initiative, we have supported important local policy reforms [and] harmonized approaches among donors, helping to mobilize additional aid resources in response to sound, locally-owned strategies,” said Canadian development minister Aileen Carroll. UK development minister Hillary Benn, announced that British aid to education will rise to USD$425m next year, including a contribution to the FTI’s Catalytic Fund for so-called “donor orphan” countries that have inadequate donor support. He added the UK “hopes to do more as the fund really gets going.” 25 April 2004 POLITICIANS AND PRESIDENTS GO BACK TO SCHOOL The President of Mali and 450 British MPs are among the many politicians who will be going "Back to School" today to meet children and teachers and listen to their views on education. With 150,000 pupils in 1000 schools taking part in the UK events, the number of people directly involved in the World's Biggest Lobby has reached 729,000. Most importantly, the lobby is already making an impact. In Kenya, after children pointed out that the cost of uniforms is still keeping many children out school, the Minister of Education promised to write to all schools instructing them not to turn children away for lack of a uniform. In Bangladesh, the Prime Minister met with a GCE delegation and pledged to strengthen NGO-government partnerships to expand education opportunities, while both opposition and ruling parties agreed to cooperate on new measures to stamp out the harassament of girl pupils on their way to school. In the Philippines, following a session with children in the national parliament, MPs from several cross-party committees vowed to lead a push for budget increases for basic education. Please tell us about the impact of lobby activities in your country. Send updates, photos, and copies of Missing Out Maps to: actionweek@campaignforeducation.org WORLD LEADERS SHOW SUPPORT FOR BIG LOBBY Young people's resounding demand for more and better education is being heard in high places, including by the Presidents and Prime Ministers of eight countries (Bangladesh, Benin, Ethiopia, Mali, Tanzania, Pakistan, Philippines, and Zambia) and by thousands of parliamentarians in over 100 countries. The ILO and Carol Bellamy, head of UNICEF have also made public statements in support of Global Action Week, which you can read at: http://www.ilo.org/public/english/standards/ipec/themes/education/download/gaw_160404.pdf http://www.unicef.org/media/media_20446.html Extensive media coverage of the campaign has been seen, as young people and politicians converged on capital cities for exciting events. Some of the highlights:
ACTION WEEK GLOBAL UPDATE JAPAN: CHILDREN REQUEST MPs TO INCREASE AID TO EDUCATION Over one hundred teenagers attended the children's parliament organized by the Japanese coalition for EFA on the 23rd and 24th April at United Nations conference room in Tokyo. The children adopted a statement to the Japanese government. Later, children from the parliament presented their statement in meetings with 28 MPs from the ruling and opponent parties, including the former chairperson of the lower diet and the shadow cabinet members of the opposition party. They also met with senior officials from the foreign and education ministries. Children discussed the three aspects of EFA during the parliament, namely Japanese ODA for basic education, children missing education and the quality of education in Japan. Their statement to the government clearly articulates requests to improve the foreign assistance and domestic education policy. On the occasion of the children's lobby, the Japanese coalition for EFA distributed a questionnaire to all the members of the parliament asking their position on improving the Japanese ODA policy for EFA. The results of the questionnaire will be distributed to MPs and to the foreign ministry for future lobbying efforts. 30 April 2004 ZAMBIA Although President Levy Mwanawasa has previously said that he would not make secondary education free, he is reconsidering his position after being presented with a bill, written by children at a children’s parliament the day before and seeking to ensure that the Government formulated a deliberate policy to provide free education to the orphaned, vulnerable and those with special educational need. Mwanawasa pledged to consider what was contained in the bill and establish how best his Government would assist the vulnerable children in the community. 29 April 2004 LESOTHO: CHILDREN TAKE PART IN PARLIAMENTARY DEBATE Yesterday children from local primary and high schools in Maseru, Lesotho took part in a debate in Parliament concerning the issue of "who is missing out on education?" Tomorrow children will present messages that they have written to the Prime Minister to urge the government to "Please do more to give every child the chance to go to school". The messages have been written by children throughout Lesotho, and highlight the many issues that hinder children's access to education; for example poverty, teenage pregnancy, and HIV/AIDS. Many politicians and other respected members of communities are also 'going back to school' to meet with children face-to-face and receive the messages that the children have written. 23 April 2004 SCOTLAND: 50 MPs PACK THEIR SCHOOL BAGS 50 MPs are packing their school bags, in order to face discussion about the need for education for all with more than 4000 school pupils today. This follows on from Tuesday's events when 20 children presented a petition to the Parliament, in a national lobby, and 129 pupils - one for every parliamentary seat - engaged in a lively question and answer sessions with the speaker George Reid. For more information contact: education@campaignforeducation.org 23 April 2004 MALAWI: GOVERNMENT RESPONDS TO ORPHANS' PLIGHT The plight of AIDS orphans who have to drop out of school is no longer invisible in Malawi, following a week where they had the chance to tell their stories on radio, TV and in face to face presentations to traditional leaders and politicians. Over 3500 children presented missing out maps to their traditional leaders in a discussion forum. Among the pupils’ requests when presenting maps were free compulsory education, stronger legislation to prevent child and domestic labour, and stiffer punishment for abuse against girls. In return the traditional leaders pledged to mobilize communities to ensure that the missing children return to school. Presently the completion rate for basic education is 30%. Some of these leaders were held up as role models on how they are able to mobilize their communities in ensuring the children go back to school. Radio and TV have also been an effective way for orphans to make their voices heard. As they have told their stories, individual listeners have called in and pledged to help them, which in turn has put more pressure on government to do something. For example, when one orphan girl narrated the particular problems that she faces in gaining education, with a long walk to school and the threat of her family losing their land due to her father’s death, the Ministry of Education offered her a place at boarding school. They promised to follow up on her basic needs at school and sensitize the family with regards to the land issue. While this will not improve education as a whole, it shows that the impact of children lobbying is felt to be strong. At a press conference, Ministers faced a barrage of questions asking what the government is aiming to do to improve the quality of infrastructure, availability of learning and teaching materials, sexual harassment towards girls and the low level of teachers’ salaries. Director of Planning in the Ministry, speaking on behalf of the Ministry of Education said that though the government was committed to ensuring as many children as possible attended school, ‘this work cannot be realized by government alone. All stakeholders need to take part’. Civil Society representatives agreed to take the message into all of the provinces, in an attempt to increase awareness of the issue. For more information contact: Julita Nsanjama: julitaa@actionaidmalawi.org 29 April 2004 MOZAMBIQUE Ibis reports that the Head of Education in Milange district promised to build a new school for the pupils on the Calavete schoool, after seeing for himself the terrible conditions of the existing structure during his 'Back to School' visit. 29 April 2004 DENMARK: 120 CHILDREN CHALLENGE AID CUTBACKS 120 teenage representatives, selected from more than 49 000 who had had lessons on Education for all, met with 7 parliamentarians in the National Parliament, armed with questions and ideas. They later handed over 13 000 postcards to their PM Anders Fogh Rasmussen. The teenagers met the politicians from six different parties, in small groups so as to increase dialogue. One girl asked, ‘Why is the Danish government spending so much money on military rather than ensure children’s rights to education?’ Another queried, ‘what have the cut backs in Danish aid been used for?’ While no promises where made by members of the Liberal party in the ensuing discussion of political priorities on spending - the politicians were certainly challenged. Opposition parties met with less criticism, as they were in a better position to offer more aid to education. Jan Sjursen (Christian People’s Party) was forceful on the matter, calling to ‘Bomb with aid and education, not bombs’. For more information contact Morten Blomquist: mb@ibis.dk 29 April 2004 NETHERLANDS: CHILDREN, MPs SEEK BETTER EU AID TO EDUCATION Sixty representatives from Dutch primary schools joined 9 politicians from the main political parties to question the EU's action plan to secure EFA by 2015. The Peace Palace in the Hague provided a beautiful venue and Max van den Berg participated from a live link in Strasbourg. It is hoped that nearly 8000 from 375 schools will take part in a petition calling the Dutch PM and coming chairman of the EU, Jan-Pieter Balkenende, to promote better policies regarding Education in Development Cooperation. For more information contact Piet Lyuykx: piet.luykx@novib 29 April 2004 LESOTHO: ‘PLEASE OPEN FREE SCHOOLS FOR DISABLED CHILDREN, ORPHANS AND HERD BOYS’ Hundreds of children from all regions presented messages that they wrote to the Prime Minister, urging the government to "Please do more to give every child the chance to go to school". The messages highlight the many issues that hinder children’s access to education; for example poverty, teenage pregnancy, orphans and HIV/AIDS related issues. One child writes, ‘in some families parents force children to do family matters such as babysitting, cow herding and working at a very young age… education is the tree of life so let’s reap its sweet fruits’. Nearly 50 children from schools in Maseru, Lesotho also took part in a debate in Parliament concerning the issue of "who is missing out on education?" The politicians committed themselves to looking at all initiatives critically and pledged their support for the future. For more information contact Sarah Eagle: ngoc@leo.co.ls 29 April 2004 ETHIOPIA: MPS COMMIT TO FREE EDUCATION AS 'BACK TO SCHOOL' DAY MAKES HEADLINES On Tuesday April 20, 2004, over 150 children marched to the parliament to hold talks with their elected representatives in the national parliament. A 12-year-old representative of the children, Tacher Mekonnen, opened the meeting and all the others attending the meeting had a chance to voice for more than five million voiceless friends of theirs who are out of school in the country. Half a day was spent discussing costs of education, out of school children, violence, the right to free education and empowerment. The MPs were impressed by the children's understanding of the issues and passion to learn and declared the government's commitment to free education and a conducive learning environment. On Thursday April 22, legislators, MPs, and community leaders visited selected local schools, and education centers. The children have made a Missing out Map and messages were sent to all concerned to do more for education. The session was televised and made headline TV and radio news. Contact: Basic Education Network [ben@telecom.net.et] 29 April 2004 VIETNAM: ‘I WILL TELL MY FRIENDS ABOUT THE ANSWERS OF THE SCHOOL LEADERS’ Ly, a Grade 4 student, pledges to spread the word after a day of activities between children and the District Education Department. 330 children in Duyan Hai and 1136 in Lao Cai province led meetings with their local politicians, expressing their views on why their peers do not attend school. ‘I feel lucky to be here and talk about what I think and hope’ said one boy. The children drew missing out maps and voiced their concerns, particularly those about the girl child in education, to leaders. In Duyen Hai they had prepared for these meetings by drawing their friends with balloons coming from their mouths to represent hope. As a group they then tackled the challenge of filling in the words, and thus when they met with the leaders they were confident in expressing their views and together were able to develop a plan for action. 29 April 2004 ITALY: 90 000 HITS ON PETITION WEBSITE The Italian teachers' union, which has asked its members to each send a message to the Prime minister Silvo Berlusconi, has had a huge large volume of hits. See www.cgilscuola.it for more information. 29 April 2004 MADAGASCAR As faraway as Madagascar all 230 students from the College d’Antanetibe Antehirdea prepared Missing Out Maps and then quizzed their representatives during 45 minutes durin week of action. As many as 21 Councillors turned up to the school including the Councillor responsible for education for the whole district. 29 April 2004 COLOMBIAN MINISTER OF EDUCATION FACES GRILLING BY CHILDREN On the 20th of April there was a special plenary session of the national Congress on the Right to an Education, called by the Senator Maria Isabel Mejía. The Minister of Education who was also present was called upon to really enforce free compulsory and universal education. During the week there were simultaneous activities in town hall and District Assemblies in Ibagué, Neiva, Medellín and Barrancabermeja. The President of the Republic, the Minister and Secretaries of education are receiving hundreds of cards from children from Cali, Villavicencio, Medellín, Barranquilla and Neiva such as this one from a young girl from Medellín : " Dear President, a very good day to you. My name is Yazmín Torres Echavarría. I am fourteen years old and I live in the La Cruz neighbourhood and I study in the 9th grade at Bello Oriente school. The only thing I ask of you is that you please give more help to each child and youth to receive a good education in a good school to have a good quality education.” “Señor Presidente, muy buenos días, mi nombre es Vanesa Yazmín Torres Echavarría, tengo 14 años, vivo en el barrio La Cruz y estudio en el colegio Bello Oriente en el grado 9º. Lo único que le pido es por favor nos brinde más ayuda a cada niño(a) y a cada joven para poder tener una buena educación en una buena escuela para tener una educación de calidad. See www.plataforma-colombiana.org Or contact : Ramón Moncada. tel: (4) 216 68 22 Emails: rmoncada@region.org.co 29 April 2004 MEXICO: CHILDREN TARGET STATE LEGISLATURES To date a total of 2500 children participated in lobbies in state legislatures, including 200 in the state of Mexico and 500 in the state of Puebla in which the Governor of the State Melquiades Morales Flores participated as well as the Secretaries of Health and Education. In the state of Coahuila the Governor and the First lady went back to school in an event which many schools around the state participated. 29 April 2004 A SPECIAL POSTMAN ORDERED TO DELIVER THE MESSAGES TO THE PRESIDENT OF PORTUGAL A group of very committed Children came up to the stage in a central park in Lisboa on the 20th of April to explain why they think education is so important for everyone, especially children, and how it is crucial for the development of poor countries. The children endorsed a collective message to President Sampaio asking his support for the cause Education for All and each one signed three letters to be sent to prime-minister Barroso and to the minister of Education and the state secretary of Cooperation saying that they “must try harder to give every child the chance to go to school and get a quality education”. A postman was requested for the event and he took the message to the President and deliver it directly to the President’s Palace. Another 350 gathered in Viana do Castelo, in the North of Portugal. Some schools sent the letters by e-mail to the three members of government and also to the heads of the parliamentary groups. 29 April 2004 GREECE: CLASS PHOTOS SENT TO MPs Schools in Greece have been sending class photos, signed by all members of the class, to the Prime Minister and the MPs of Greece asking them to help achieve the global goal EFA by 2015. About 100 children gathered outside the central, historical building of the University of Athens in order to protest against the current situation as far as world education is concerned and also to remind to the Greek politicians their obligations, derived from the international declarations about education. The pupils unfolded a 9 sq meters banner (find attached photo) demanding EFA. The motto of the Greek campaign for GAW was “No more absentees from schools!”. Then the pupils coloured the banner and stuck on it photos sent by schools all over Greece. Finally, the delegation marched to Parliament where they delivered the photos to the Head of the House of Parliament Ms Psarouda Benaki. She declared that she will transfer their message to the rest of the MPs of Greece. These events attracted the attention of the Greek press, TV and media throughout the week, with 12 articles in national newspapers, 4 radio interviews and coverage on national TV news on the day of the march. Contact: Apostolos Pigiakis [apostolos@actionaid.gr] 29 April 2004 SCOTLAND: KIDS TAKE PETITION TO PARLIAMENT Three 15-year-olds who took part in Parliament Day in Scotland were so inspired that they are going back to the Scottish Parliament on Wednesday 28 April to speak to the Public Petitions Committee in support of the GCE petition. You can watch their presentation live on the parliament website at 10.00am: http://www.scottishparliamentlive.com/mainchamber.asp 28 April 2004 MALI: PRESIDENT GOES BACK TO SCHOOL TODAY When President Amani Toumani Toure, learned about the events taking place in Mali during the World's Biggest Lobby he insisted that he wanted to visit a school in person to meet with some of the children who are participating. President Toure will visit Sabalibougou Primary School this morning and accept a message from out of school children. In Bamako four organisations working with out of school children mobilised over 500 children and on the 20th April over 400 children descended on the national assembly to deliver their messages to members of parliament. The following day saw 2 televised debates by CSOs and Ministry officials on EFA and on the problems of out of school children. In Gao, schools have been working on Missing Out Maps. Gao had a march with 500 students and excluded children together who were received by political and community leaders and officials. During this meeting the Vice Présidente of the Children's Parliament presented the Governor of the Region with the children's requests for a good quality education for all. 23 April 2004 KENYA: MINISTER OF EDUCATION EXPANDS FREE EDUCATION DRIVE The minister of education yesterday pledged to take extra steps to reach the children who are still out of school despite the abolition of fees by the new government. He promised to send a letter to all schools telling teachers that the lack of uniform, which usually prevents children from attending, should no longer be a barrier. He also promised to hold major consultations with stakeholders, including community meetings, in order to develop policies that will improve the quality of teaching and learning. Yesterday, 200 children met in a child parliament in Nairobi. Children have demanded to be involved to a greater degree in the consultation process on education, suggesting that a girl and a boy are elected to each school committee. The children discussed other issues such as Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) and child labour. 150 representatives from the discussion will go to an intergenerational debate tomorrow to explore how the points can translate into practice. Other lobbies involving over 1000 children have taken place in other regions of Kenya. In Mombassa, an FM radio station held a free-phone in which children held a lively debate with politicians, asking questions about education. For more information contact Olad Farah: OladFarah@actionaidkenya.org 23 April 2004 PHILIPPINES: MPs PROMISE TO INCREASE BUDGET FOR EDUCATION More than 5200 children took part in the lobby event organised by Philippine NGOs and teachers' unions in the national parliament on 20 April and got members of several cross-party parliamentary committees to promise they would push for increases in basic education spending during the next budget round. The whole programme was run by child leaders themselves, presenting the issues of working children, differently-abled children and indigenous peoples through lively cultural events as well as speeches and debate. MPs, government ministers, teachers' union leaders and a representative of the ILO took part in the national lobby, which was covered on TV and in the national dailies. MPs and dignitaries symbolically signed the children's agenda at the end of the session. For more information contact Raquel Castillo: secretariate@educ-net.org 23 April 2004 BANGLADESH: PM PLEDGES TO COOPERATE WITH NGOS http://bangladesh-web.com/view.php?hidDate=2004-04-22&hidType=NAT&hidRecord=0000000000000000006640 Meeting with a GCE delegation yesterday, Prime Minister Khaleda Zia assured that more steps would be taken to build government-NGO partnership in the spread of education. Her government has taken up a six-year project in which nearly 35,000 teachers will be recruited. Deputy Speaker Akhtar Hamid Siddiqui, who was also attending the session, said the government was working for education for all. His assertion that "We will take steps for betterment of students" was meet with approval by the opposition Faruk Khan who, said: "We may differ on political agenda, but we are all united for education." Thus, when school girls asked for help in combating the harassment faced on walking home from school, support was offered. For more information contact Rupa@actionaid-bd.org 23 April 2004 HONDURAS: CHILDREN DELIVER 10,000 MESSAGES TO CONGRESS NGOs in this tiny country (pop. 6.5 million) have managed to gather an amazing 10,000 messages from children, which were presented to the Minister of Education by 120 children at a special event in the National Theatre. The children also read a letter, which summarized young people's concerns in the letter and advocated for the right to an education for child labourers, street children HIV/AIDs victims, and children in rural areas. The minister was so impressed by their eloquence that he encouraged them to deliver the messages to the President of the national Congress, as Congress has more control over their national budget. So they did! During the afternoon lobby the President of Congress was presented with the 10,000 messages. The congressmen and congresswomen were so enthused by the children's contributions they stood and applauded. These were just the events in the capital city, Tegucigalpa; in each province there were deputies and councillors who were also lobbied by children. Events were covered on national television. View Photo's... 23 April 2004 GUATEMALA: PRESIDENT DELUGED WITH MESSAGES FROM CHILDREN Not to be outdone by its neighbour Honduras, the small country of Guatemala has also collected 10,000 messages to the President on the need for government action to ensure a quality education for every child. Nine hundred children of all different Mayan ethnicities in the rural areas and children from the urban areas came to the national legislature to meet with the President of the Congress and the chair and members of the education committee. All these children then walked down to the President's House to deliver 10,000 messages. Many legislators and elected officials are being taken to visit schools in marginalized urban and rural areas. Guatemalan NGOs including PRODESSA and partners have organised an extensive mobilization throughout the country including workshops on the importance of the right to an education for all. 23 April 2004 PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES PUT TO THE TEST IN PANAMA Children are lobbying the main candidates running for president in the upcoming elections. In a meeting with candidates earlier this week, 400 children from different provinces told the candidates about the obstacles faced by poor children and asked them to make quality education for all a priority in their election manifestos. Thirty children spoke about the needs of indigenous children missing out on a quality education. A diverse cross- section of Panamanian civil society and institutions are backing the children's electoral demands, including the EI affiliated teachers' union, schools, universities, NGOs, UNICEF, the ILO, and the Girl Guides. 23 April 2004 GHANA: STREET CHILD ASKS LOBBY 'WHY CAN'T I GO TO SCHOOL?' The girl, who watches her peers pass her by on their way to school as she works, addressed a National Lobby in Accra on 20 April attended by 300 children, politicians and the general public. Yesterday, four political parties were invited to interact with school children and to tell them about what they were planning in their manifestos. The programme was attended by over 400 people. Earlier in the week, 2000 children took part in a march and rally in Bolgatanga to lobby the government and policy makers to ensure that education is really free by supplying the needed resources. The rally was attended by the Chairperson of the Parliamentary Select Committee, traditional leaders, ministry officials and union and NGO leaders. Three children gave their message, the street child, one disabled child (deaf and dumb),and an in-school child - Valentina Oklu - who said 'We fervently plead for the integration of out of school brothers and sisters into the school systems, so that together we all prepare for a better tomorrow where equity and equality will be the hallmark'. Three thousand letters from the three Northern regions were delivered to the Minister. Similar lobbying activities took place in all ten regions of Ghana with an estimated 2000 participants. For more information contact: Juliana Adu-Gymfi: julianaa@actionaid-ghana.org 23 April 2004 AUSTRIA: TEACHERS LOBBY 13 POLITICIANS Not to be left out, over 260 teachers lobbied PMs who returned to their schools, for more resources, more teaching staff and more teaching hours - so that children could learn more. Teachers also wrote letters to the Ministry of Education, Finance and Foreign Affairs, demanding more aid to developing countries. The head of the Austrian teachers' union believes this will be particularly effective now, ahead of the elections next year. For more information please contact: eva.schachinger@goed.at 23 April 2004 NORTHERN IRELAND: PARTY LEADERS RETURN TO SCHOOL SDLP leader Mark Durkan and the DUP's Gregory Campbell visited their former schools. Durkan, at St Patrick's in Pennyburn, expressed his support for the campaign: "As well as raising the issue of education for all, we hope that the GCE Week of Action will engage young people in learning about issues that affect children's lives globally, as well as giving them an opportunity to take action in support of children's rights everywhere". For more information contact Christine Patterson c.patterson@scfuk.org.uk 23 April 2004 USA: STUDENTS SECURE MEETINGS WITH SENATORS KENNEDY & HARKIN Following their meeting with Senators Hilary Clinton and Arlen Spector on Tuesday, youth lobbyists have secured additional meetings with prominent lawmakers on Capitol Hill, including Republican Senator Mike DeWine and Democratic Senator Tom Harkin, to discuss the role the US government can play in achieving EFA, In Quincy, Massachusetts, about 50 students lobbied and secured a phone meeting with Senator Edward Kennedy to get his support for a proposed bill to increase US aid to basic education. For more information contact: Rekha Balu rbalu@cfr.orgrbalu@cfr.org 23 April 2004 SCOTLAND: CHILDREN TAKE OVER PARLIAMENT http://www.scottishparliamentlive.com/archive.asp When children came to the Scottish Parliament on Tuesday, they took over the chamber and ended up having an impromptu question and answer session with the speaker George Reid MSP 22 April 2004 NORTHERN IRELAND Six Members of Parliament returned to school to meet with over 2000 children. These children had written poetry and messages to explore the issue of education, particularly dwelling on the need to increase aid. One boy writes: 'The children of Africa, the Forgotten Continent. Our blunder shapes its future government Education is the only option To stop today's mistake becoming tomorrow's problem' 22 April 2004 USA: "WHY IS THE US NOT DOING ITS DUTY?" CHILDREN ASK SENATORS http://www.campaignforeducationusa.org Children aged from 5 to 18 descended on the U.S. Senate on Tuesday to tell their politicians what they needed to do to help education around the world. Maya and Hanna, both 13, asked "Why is the US not doing its duty? We are the wealthiest country, yet are close to the bottom in helping poor countries." Former First Lady, Senator Hillary Clinton, co-hosting the event together with Republican Senator Arlen Specter, agreed that the US needed to provide more help for education in developing countries and announced an initiative to increase US aid to education to US $2.5bn a year. She called on other legislators to help make it happen. Asked by the young people why she thought all girls should go to school, she replied "because I am a girl!" Teenaged activists Maura Welch and Veronica Lopez told of the children that they had met in developing countries who had been denied their right to education, and pledged to continue campaigning for education for all. The senators answered questions prepared by the large children's delegation. Asked by an adult whether the US shouldn't improve education for US children instead of helping children in other countries, Clinton responded that it was possible for a big country like the US to do both. She said that a world in which all children went to school would be good for the US too. "Supporting education for all is not just the right thing to do, it's the smart thing to do." 22 April 2004 BURKINA FASO: MINISTER AGREES TO LAUNCH EFA PLAN More than 1000 children excluded from school went to the Place de la Nation in order to lobby 31 Elected Representatives including ministers. A visually impaired child was particularly inspiring when she made a strong speech on behalf of all the children present in all three languages of Burkina Faso, Mossi, Duyla and French, asking the elected representatives for a law enforcing Education For All. As a result of their efforts for Week of Action 2004 and the Big lobby, the Minister of Education has already agreed to meet with the national civil society education coalition to implement an EFA plan. 22 April 2004 BENIN: MORE THAN 100 LEGISLATORS TAKE PART In Cotonou 1000 students and their teachers met with 111 elected representatives of the National Assembly. Children from Djibo, Dori, Seba, Gayeri and Doulsa, who are all excluded from school, have made Missing Out maps and made messages to be sent to the President. 22 April 2004 SRI LANKA: STOP POLITICAL INTERFERENCE IN EDUCATION, SAY CHILDREN In Colombo, 300 children from all provinces addressed leading political figures including the advisor to the PM, Hon Sunimal Fernando, the deputy education minister and various regional education governors. They demanded an end to political interference in teacher appointments, peace and consistency in education. Politicians pledged to give priority to education in their future plans and recognised the need to re-activate progressive plans for education reforms that now lay dormant. Schools got involved throughout the country and 200, 000 postcards with the Global Action Week message are to be sent to the President. 22 April 2004 SUDAN: SPEND MORE ON SCHOOLS, MINISTERS TOLD The Minister of Education and Minister of Culture (representing the President) adressed a gathering of 100 children and parents on Monday. A number of children strongly raised their voice asking government to increase spending on quality education, and improve the learning environment. Three thousand messages from children throughout the country will be sent to the president demanding a better education. 22 April 2004 SPAIN: SIMULTANEOUS CHILD PARLIAMENTS ACROSS THE COUNTRY In 15 localities across Spain 18 simultaneous child parliaments were in action on the 20th of April. A total of 500 children were posing questions to their elected representatives and to date a phenomenal 60,000 Spanish children have written messages to the President. 22 April 2004 DRC: MPs' EYES OPENED TO SCHOOL CONDITIONS MPs and officials have been taken to visit extremely run down schools to highlight the extent of DRC's education crisis. DRC's Vice President launched the Global Action Week at a centre for street kids with more than 1,000 people (mainly children) attending. On Tuesday again more than 1,000 kids were at the parliament to read a message for the parliamentarians, to which the President of the parliament responded. View Photo's... 22 April 2004 PERU: CHILDREN'S PLIGHT MOVES MINISTERS During an emotional national lobby event with 250 children from all over Peru, a a young cajamarquina girl evoked tears from Ministers and legislators when she spoke about the plight of rural children excluded from the school system. Grammy winning musician and UNICEF ambassador Susana Baca added sparkle to the event. View Photo's... 22 April 2004 GAMBIA: SPOTLIGHT ON CHILDREN WITH DISABILTIES More than 700 children met with MPs, religious leaders, and Education Ministry officials in Gambia's national assembly on Tuesday, including 100 children representing those missing out because of disabilities. One child asked, 'what is the government going to do about sexual harassment in schools?' another, finding it difficult get into the building, asked 'What is the government going to do about access to schools for disabled people?' Summarising the day's debates, Hon Halifa Sallah, the minority leader in the National Assembly, gave a strong speech promising more resources for basic education, and pledging to tackle cultural and social issues preventing children from attending schools. In schools throughout the country, 6300 children made Missing Out maps and wrote letters to the president. For the rest of the week, MPs will be going "back to school" to discuss issues further with children and communities who have made Missing Out Maps. 22 April 2004 NEPAL: CHILDREN'S LETTERS TO BE PUBLISHED IN NATIONAL NEWSPAPERS. Despite civil unrest, 773 letters have been collected to give to the president. Many of these will be published in national newspapers so that the children's voices get the best possible platform. A Big Lobby day is planned later this week and has been endorsed by the Ministry of Education. 22 April 2004 CAMEROON: "WHAT ARE YOU DOING FOR EDUCATION?", MPs ASKED 500 children took part in the 'Biggest Ever Lobby' in Yaounde and a further 125 children lobbied in Big Mankon Bamenda, posing their questions to town councillors, mayors and MPs. When asked what they were doing for education, one of the MPs present answered, 'we the female parliamentarians are really concerned about the state of children, especially female children. We think children have a right to education and we are committed to making this right respected in Cameroon' .585 Messages were sent to the president in Yaounde and a further 300 in Bamenda. 22 April 2004 NORWAY: FIFTH GRADERS KEEP MPs ON THEIR TOES A group of 5th graders kept the politicians from the Parliamentary Education Committee on their toes with well-prepared questions. The lobby session was even televised live at one point and made headline TV news. 22 April 2004 INDONESIA: LOCAL LOBBIES PUT CHILDREN ON THE SPOT Lobbies in Jakarta, Kendari, Kupang, Denpasar, Tasikmalaya, Lampung and Bangkalan, Bandung, involving local politicians, government officials and children, drew over 3000 people. Politicians are going back to schools throughout the country later this week. 22 April 2004 NIGER: PRESIDENT TO RECEIVE MESSAGES FROM CHILDREN IN SPECIAL CEREMONY. One thousand children will meet at the National Assembly in the presence of the President of the National Assembly on the 20th of April and three hundred of these children will lobby for children excluded from the education system in Niger. Later in the week the messages collected from children around Niger will be presented to the President of the Republic himself. Campaign organisers hope to collect 1.063.731 messages to the President, corresponding to the number of people who voted for the President in the last presidential elections. For more information contact Ali Abdoulaye tel : 227.75.25.60 viebayra@intnet.ne 20 April 2004 BRAZIL: 70,000 PEOPLE TO JOIN GLOBAL ACTION WEEK Across 13 states of Brazil, girls and boys are researching the reasons why children have to drop out of school, in order to present the results to their parliamentarians. On the 22nd of April the Education Committee of the House of Representatives, UNESCO and the Campaign will sit in a special session at the National Congress in Brasilia. At the end of the session, children's letters and maps will be presented to the parliament, and similar events will take place in 13 state legislatures. For more information see http://www.campanhaeducacao.org.br Or contact Simone or Denise + 11.3151.2333 20 April 2004 UK: TWO THIRDS OF ALL MPS TO RETURN TO SCHOOL ON FRIDAY In the UK hundreds of thousands of students will be taking part in the 'World's Biggest Ever Lobby' this week, talking to their MPs, MSPs and Assembly Members to demand that the UK government takes action to help solve the global education crisis. On 20 April, more than 700 children will be gathering in Westminster to lobby Hilary Benn, Secretary of State for International Development and Charles Clarke, Secretary of State for Education and to deliver a call to action to 10 Downing Street. On 23 April, more than two thirds of the House of Commons, will be going back to the classroom as part of MPs' Back to School Day. Over 440 MPs, including many Cabinet Ministers, will be going back to school for the day to discuss the crisis with an estimated 150,000 children in over 1500 schools. For more information contact Ruth Stockdale: education@campaignforeducation.org.uk View Photo's... 20 April 2004 NICARAGUA: VICE-PRESIDENT GOES BACK TO SCHOOL 50,000 school children will be writing to the president during Global Action Week and 250 girls and boys will be lobbying the Executive and Education Committees of the National Legislature Assembly on the 20th of April. Children will lobby councillors in 32 towns and as many as twelve prominent Nicaraguan politicians will be visiting schools during GAW including the Vice -President of the Republic. Prestigious intellectuals such as Ernesto Cardenal will also be supporting GAW. 20 April 2004 DOMINICAN REPUBLIC: NATIONAL ASSEMBLY PRESIDENT TO MEET CHILDREN TODAY Children from different socio-economic backgrounds from all over the Dominican Republic will be meeting in the National Legislature together with the President of the Senate and other Senators to express their concerns about education. Communities around the Dominican Republic will be participating in Missing Out Map making exercise for this week's events. Contact Susan Hobbs at susanahobbs@hotmail.com 20 April 2004 KENYA: CHILDREN AND POLICY MAKERS TO COMPOSE A COMMUNIQUE FOR MINISTRY Dialogue will take place during three major meetings, between parliament and development practionners, between adult literacy stakeholders, and between children and policy makers. Children involved in the final meeting aim to produce a communiqué to present to the President. For more information please contact: Wambua Nzioka: elimuyetu@actionaidkenya.org 20 April 2004 RUSSIA: POLITICIANS WILL FACE CHILDREN IN LESSONS Politicians are returning to schools in Moscow, and throughout the federation, to attend lessons - many of which will be conducted by children. Activities are to be held eight regions of the Russian Federation, involving 500 people. Many politicians will be going back to school, and in some, they will be faced with children holding lessons. For more information contact Tatiana Mikheeva: npf@cea.ru 20 April 2004 VIETNAM: 'LISTEN TO THE CHILDREN' FORUM TO BE A PLATFORM FOR DISCUSSION Child representatives will present their peers' work to policy makers, and discuss how children's aspirations for education can be made a reality, at forum attended by a variety of stakeholders. 100 child representatives from each province will come together to express their desire for education imaginatively, through pictures and writing. For more information contact Vu Thi Thanh: vtthoa@:oxfam.org.uk 20 April 2004 PHILLIPINES: 5000 CHILDREN IN THE BIGGEST EVERY LOBBY Photo above shows children making a Missing Out Map for presentation to politicians today. More than 110 villages across the country took part in the mapping exercise. More than five thousand participants are anticipated to meet at Batasang Pambansa to form part of 'the biggest lobby'. Children from all walks of life - IP children, those in conflict, and victims of violence, differently-abled children - will present their agenda, prepared last weekend, and missing out maps, to the Senate and House Committee on Education, Human Rights, Women, Children and Labour Committees. For more information contact: Raquel Castillo: secretariat@educ-net.org View Photo's... 20 April 2004 IRELAND: CHILDREN TO LOBBY EU PRESIDENCY HOSTS FOR INCREASED AID TO EDUCATION. The Irish coalition, comprising of all of the main Teachers' Unions, and many of the largest NGOs in Ireland are pulling out the stops for the Global Week of Action. Students and educators from at all levels are utilising GCE lesson plans on marginalisation and discrimination, throughout the week. The letters and artwork will be sent to the Prime Minister, Mr. Bertie Ahern. Tom Kitt, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs will attend a seminar where participating children will have the opportunity to lobby on behalf of their peers in developing countries. The Irish coalition wants Ireland, current EU president, to ensure that EU member states work cohesively to allocate an average of 8% of their ODA budget to formal primary education. For more information contact Caroline Maxwell: CarolineMaxwell@actionaidireland.org 20 April 2004 PERU: SINGER SUSANA BACA JOINS BIG LOBBY Famous singer and UNICEF ambassador Susana Baca will join the Ministers of Finance and Health during the World's Biggest Lobby event today together with young delegates from all over the country. For more information contact Magaby Villalobos - magabyvillalobos@terra.com.pe 20 April 2004 USA: WORLD ECONOMIC FORUM CALLS FOR ACTION ON POVERTY, EDUCATION, HEALTH http://www.weforum.org/globalgovernance The world is failing to reach its own modest goals to tackle poverty, war, ignorance and disease, according to a comprehensive report released by the World Economic Forum in Washington today. As thousands of children prepare to meet politicians today in the “World’s Biggest Lobby” for the right to education, the report highlights that 96 countries are not on track to reach the UN target of universal primary education by 2015, and 104 million children are not even enrolled in primary school. “Financial donors have fallen short in providing the US$ 300 million necessary to sustain commitments under the Fast Track Initiative, which is the global effort to spur real progress on education,” says the report. The first annual report of the World Economic Forum’s Global Governance Initiative (GGI) represents a year-long independent analysis by seven groups of some of the world’s leading experts in the areas of peace and security, poverty, hunger, education, health, environment and human rights. In September 2000, at the Millennium Summit of the United Nations, leaders from 189 countries endorsed a set of objectives in these areas, many with a specific deadline of 2015. This report provides a ‘benchmark’ on efforts to tackle these goals. As well as comprehensive analysis, the report also marks efforts by the international community on a scale of 0 to 10 on such issues as poverty, health, hunger, security, education, the environment and human rights. The report finds that during 2003 in no single area did the international community warrant more than a score of 4 on a scale of 0 to 10 measuring the level of effort and cooperation necessary to achieve the goals. “The report recognises that a good primary education for every child is crucial to spur economic growth, and that is especially significant coming from the world’s foremost business forum.” said Anne Jellema of the Global Campaign for Education, which was part of the expert team consulted by the WEF. “We are glad to have the support of a respected voice in the corporate sector backing the need for a massive increase in resources for basic education. We hope that rich country governments gathering in Washington for the World Bank and IMF spring meetings will heed the report’s call for an additional US $5.6bn in aid and debt relief to achieve universal basic education.” 20 April, 2004 BANGLADESH: HUMAN CHAIN A human chain around the seat of government was one of many human chains throughout Bangladesh drawing attention to the millions missing out on education. Bangladeshi children painted pictures and messages to be presented to the Prime Minister. View Photo's... 20 April 2004 GREECE: 1000 SMILING FACES TO SHOW SOLIDARITY Children all over Greece are taking photos of themselves and classmates to send to the prime minister; on the reverse of the photos the children demand that the Greek government support the values of education for all. ActionAid Hellas (AAH) has prepared three actions for Global ActionWeek, which involve students from about 1000 schools, both primary and secondary. A "Children Missing Out" Lesson will take place in many schools. It encourages students to prepare a photo of the classroom with hands up for education. Students write a message for the Greek Prime Minister and the President of the Greek Parliament on the reverse, asking them to help achieve the global goal EFA by 2015. All photos-messages will be forwarded to the Prime Minister and the President of Parliament by a delegation of children on Friday the 23d April. On Thursday the 22d April, about 80 children from 4 different primary schools of Athens will display a huge handmade banner demanding EFA outside the university. The display will be enhanced with a photo collage, using some of the photos sent by their peers for this purpose, and will convey the message of EFA to the Greek public. Media are invited to cover the event and interview children and AAH spokespersons. For more information contact Elena Danali: Elena@actionaid.gr 16 April 2004 ZAMBIA: MUSIC, POETRY AND ART TO ILLUSTRATE THE PLIGHT OF MISSING OUT CHILDREN The president, Mr Levey Mwanawasa will attend an open day at the Ministry of Education where children will perform music and drama and voice their views on education. This is only one of the highlights of a packed week of activities. Though the president, Mr Levey Mwanawasa, is aware that 'the role of education in a nation's development process cannot be over emphasised', there are still huge discrepancies in the educational status of Zambian children. Approximately 45% of Zambia's population is illiterate, more girls than boys, and many do not attend school, for though primary education is free again, there are issues of quality and many are denied access. Children will converge on Tuesday 20th April to form a state parliament. The following day, 250 of them, accompanied by a rousing music from the military band, will assemble at the Ministry of Education headquarters to form part of the 'Biggest Ever Lobby'. Members of parliament, including the president Mr Mwanawasa, will speak, and everyone will listen to poems from the Munali Girl's High school, songs from Kabulonga High School and letters of solidarity from numerous children. A highlight will be a poignant presentation from a child who is missing out on education. Children are proud to have their artwork exhibited at the Manda Hill complex. There will be a ministerial launch on the national radio and television stations. The ministry of education has organised a number of activities for Monday, April 19, in all districts, with the focus on HIV/AIDS and education. Friday, April 23, will be a unique finale, as politicians will go back to school in their respective areas joining pupils and students at learning institutions. The week will be wrapped up with a discussion on Saturday, to focus on the role of a teacher in vis-à-vis quality education. The Panellists are drawn from IMF, MoE, and Zambia National Union of Teachers. For more information contact Joe Makano: Zanec@zamtel.zm 16 April 2004 ITALY: MR BERLSUCONI DIRECTLY TARGETTED BY A LETTER Unions will write directly to the Italian PM and plan to raise education awareness through the media and through their magazine on Global Action week, circulated to 3000 people. CGILSCUOLA has gone straight to the top, and is targeting PM Mr Berlusconi with a letter, signed by union leaders from CISL and UIL scuola, demanding an increase in Italian funds to developing countries. This is complemented by a link on the union homepage www.cgilscuola.it, asking all members to send Mr Berlusconi letters. An article in the magazine on Global Action week, circulated to 3000 people, is concerned with the aims of the campaign and denounces the Italian government for its inertia in raising the funds to cooperate with EFA. Gabriella Giorgetti of CGILSCUOLA says, 'we're all very excited about the event which promises to raise awareness around the country. We have worked a lot to make our members and public opinion aware of the question of education for all and we think the work done is a small, but useful contribution to the campaign.' For more information contact Gabriella Giorgetti: gabriu@hotmail.com 16 April 2004 ETHIOPIA: PARTICIPATION FROM ALL CORNERS CONVERGE FOR ACTION WEEK Great results are anticipated as panel discussions and press conferences draw together stakeholders to discuss education. Children will hand deliver messages demanding 'quality education' to the president and PM, 10 politicians will be going back to school and 150 children will be involved in a national lobby. From providing T-shirts and posters, to organising panel discussions - Hailu Sime of AA Ethiopia says that all of the 'participating organisations have contributed one way or another to carry out different forms of activities in order to make the event a success'. The Basic Education Network (BEN) are leading the GAW week in Ethiopia with support from Save the Children Alliance, ActionAid Ethiopia, Oxfam GB, Pact Ethiopia, UNESCO, UNICEF, the Federal MOE and The World Bank. There is great anticipation for the various events which will bring together children and politicians in an unprecedented move aimed to secure further funding for children, especially those who are marginalized, disadvantaged, disabled pastoral or rural - BEN's targets. Events kick off with a press conference in the Ministry of Education. A Ministry representative will show the commitment to fulfil the EFA goals; Actionaid Ethiopia will then present a situational analysis, followed by Save the Children Alliance who will reinforce the rights of the child. A number of children activists are excited to then have the opportunity to voice their own side of the story, detailing why education is important for them and their 'missing out' colleagues. The following day children will march to the parliament as a huge lobbying force, which will be given radio transmission. Many have been spurred to attend, as they will hand over messages of solidarity to the president and prime minister. At the same time, a panel, made up of NGOs, the vice minister and 100 children from a variety of different groups, will discuss the issues surrounding education. A number of politicians will culminate their busy 'school' week by returning to the classrooms to see work first hand. For more information contact Kassaw Checkole: ben@telecom.net.et 16 April 2004 INDIA: CHILDREN CAST VOTES IN MASSIVE BALLOT BOXES When people across India will be choosing their leaders during elections, children will "cast their votes" for education in massive ballot boxes. 200 out-of-school children, drawn from ten different states, will express their concerns on education issues in a 'children's consultation' - their 'manifesto' will be then presented to the Government of India, potentially even the President. To parallel the children's discussion, an Education symposium is being held where academics and social activists are invited to discuss the education scenario. To engage the press, a human chain will be formed with colourful banners and street theatre. There will also be 'symbolic voting' where children will 'cast their votes' for education in huge ballot boxes. Many additional events will take place at a local level. For more information contact Jo Walker education@globalmarch.org View Photo's... 16 April 2004 NIGERIA: CHILDREN DEMAND ANSWERS FROM THEIR LEADERS Nigerian policy makers will have to be on their toes to respond to pertinent comments from children at a national lobby. This year's theme for the Global Week of Action has great relevance in Nigeria, as there are an estimated 7 million children who are out of school. Actionaid Nigeria, the Civil Society Action Coalition for Education for All (CSACEFA), the Federal Ministry of Education, UNESCO, UNICEF and other relevant education agencies have been working together. The most visual event will be the National Lobby; 50 children from different schools including disabled, nomadic, and rural schools, 50 out-of-school children and 20 parents of out of school children will be assembled. This group will form a panel and visit the National Assembly for roundtable discussion with Legislators and Policy Makers. The children themselves will take the lead and advocate for the education rights of their counterparts who are out of school, aiming to extract a government commitment on policy reform. Six year old Tobi says "it makes me very sad to see children of my age selling water on the street corners when I am being driven to school, does this mean that that they are not important and does the government not care about them?" Thirteen year old Amira says " I do not see why any Nigerian child should be left out of school, we are a nation rich with resources, government needs to spend more money on programmes for out of school children and less on the expensive cars they drive' Ten-year-old Ali says "I do not go to school, the nearest school to my village is four kilometres away and I would have to cross a major highway, my mother cannot accompany me because she is busy tending to the younger ones. Why is there no school near my village?" For more information contact Justice Egware: csacefa@hotmail.com 16 April 2004 USA: HILLARY CLINTON WELCOMES CHILDREN AT THE CAPITOL Two children are to speak at a reception attended by Mrs Clinton and other members of the congress. This is the culmination of a nationwide letter writing activity whereby children write letters of solidarity to those missing an education. Many events will be taped and viewed worldwide. The campaign in the USA has secured the fantastic opportunity of getting children and politicians together to discuss the issues around education. Youth activists Maura Welch of Syracuse, NY, a delegate to the Children's World Congress on Child Labor, and Veronica Lopez of Montgomery County, MD, a member of Advocates for Children Caught in the Crossfire, will be leading a briefing of other students on key issues in universal education. They will also be meeting with members of Congress and speaking at a reception at the Capitol. The evening reception is co-hosted by Hillary Clinton, who will be joined by both Republican and Democratic members of Congress at the event. On a nationwide scale, children are being encouraged to write letters of solidarity to children missing an education, many of which will be put up on the NetAid website (www.netaid.org/go/actionweek). This, with the addition of video taping other events, will mean that the actions of American children will be able to be seen worldwide, enhancing the spirit of sharing. Updates on these activities can be found at the U.S. website: www.campaignforeducationusa.org. View Photo's... 16 April 2004 NEPAL: COALITION BUILDING DESPITE CIVIL UNREST Organisations have come together for the first time in Nepal to ensure that when the country is at peace, education will sit firmly on the agenda. ActionAid, CWIM, Concern, Education Journalists Group, NNTA/NTA, Plan and Save the Children Alliance have come together to express solidarity. The presence of journalists is particularly useful since the media angle will be strong from the very beginning. At present they are working in a situation of political unrest; education and other public services are not a priority. However, it is important that a group is united to act when the opportunity becomes available. For more information contact Uma Pradhan: globalmarch@mail.com.np 16 April 2004 BANGLADESH: HUMAN CHAIN FESTOONED WITH DECORATIONS WILL DRAW MEDIA ATTENTION FOR EDUCATION FOR ALL. A human chain of 3000 people will be the visual centre of events in Dhaka, with others flowering throughout the country. Children will meet with the PM Begum Khaleda Zia and other influential policy makers in a Q&A session and grassroots organisations countrywide are holding events. Thousands of messages, written by children around the country describing why so many of their peers are not in school, will be collected by the facilitators - CAMPE. Thirty children have the fantastic opportunity to hand over their letters directly to the PM, Begum Khaleda Zia, and the education minister. Another thirty children, from a wide range of backgrounds, are energetically preparing their questions to be presented in a Q&A session with 15 MPs, the speaker, deputy speakers, whips, and members of relevant parliamentary committees. Following the children, it will then be civil society's chance to voice their views, and a broad based group will quiz the parliamentarians. A colourful, festive Human Chain will be arranged to catch media attention. Around 3000 children and adults will participate in the chain, which will be made attractive with festoons, placards, and neck hangings. Boy scouts will distribute stickers, posters, leaflets and booklets (prepared specifically for the week). Celebrities including film actors and actresses, and national folk-singers will be at the event to sign autographs. This main human chain will be copied in many different districts & sub-districts. At the same time, about 150 children will paint on a 50-meter long canvas. The theme will be 'Children's perception of education (Future & present)' A few 'non children' will be coming to join in, including the country representative from UNESCO, political leaders, corporate bodies, trade unions, teacher unions, celebrities, media, development partners, UN bodies and government officials. This event is combined with a huge cultural programme involving over 1000 adults and children. Performances of song, drama, dance, jokes, recitation, role-play and folk songs will focus on the theme - " no one will be missed out". A public 'wake-up call' press release is due. In addition, three TV chat shows will be broadcast, with officials from the ministry of Education and civil society exploring the following themes: "How to ensure education for all?" " How to ensure quality Primary Education for All" and "Where are we in non- formal education?" Similar activities are taking place on the local level. Cultural programs, human chains and paintings are being arranged in a huge number of sub-districts. WAVE alone has 6200 participants. NGOs like BRAC (which has over 35,000 non formal schools running in all the sub districts) and Proshika, operating in 330 sub districts, will hold meetings at schools. The national forum on child rights, Shishu Adhikar, which has 193 member organizations, will hold its first children's election during the action week. This will be held in the district of Barisal. Simultaneously, it will hold pre election meetings of children in all the 64 districts during the week. For more information contact Rasheda Choudhury: campe@bdcom.com 16 April 2004 SRI LANKA: GROUPS COME TOGETHER TO TRY TO PERSUADE THE PRESIDENT TO PARTICIPATE IN LOBBYING 300 children are to address leading political and civil society figures while a number of stakeholders forge further links over education issues. It's the first time that so many stakeholders have come together, and discussions have been fruitful as groups agreed earlier this year to try to get the president to be lobbied by children. The following organisations, ADAPCA, Sarvodaya Women's Movement, The National Association for Total Education, Young Entrepreneurs Sri Lanka, Plan Sri Lanka and Save the Children are to meet once a week to plan to cement a GCE coalition. The latest news is that 300 children will come together at the BMICH in a national lobby to address leading political figures and civil society representatives. See www.dailynews.lk/2004/04/15/new11.html 16 April 2004 SUDAN: OIL WILL BE THE TOOL FOR EDUCATION FOR ALL Children hope to show that quality education is plausible if oil funds are used wisely. A week of campaigns, lobbies, rallies and open days is set to raise awareness of the integral nature of education in Sudan, and hopes to lead to greater funding from the government and donors. 1.7 out of the 3.5 million children in Sudan do not go to school, half of the young population. This is hardly surprising in a country where 60% of the population live in poverty, many in IDP camps due to a 34-year long civil war - meaning that health care and educative provision is barely existing, and often inappropriate. The aim of the Global Week of Action is to get those children missing out on education into school by lobbying the government to show that education is feasible and desired: oil is the tool. Sudan produces 320,000 barrels a day, earnings of up to $3.2 for the government. Campaigning efforts aim to push the government to invest into education. 10 children, 20 teachers and 20 parents will gather at the assembly to meet the Minister of Finance wearing T-shirts provided by UNICEF. Groups in the communities in the IDP camps at Kassala, White Nile, South Kudrufan and Jararond will fill in a missing out map and 3000 children will mail messages showing solidarity for those missing an education. Events will converge with a mass rally in the Friendship Hall in Khartoum. The children's work is to be displayed at an open day, at which there will be theatre, poems and songs produced by the children themselves, illustrating the situation that that they and their companions face - youngsters have been working for weeks perfecting their acts. All events are to be publicised on the TV and Radio. For more information contact Hanan El Haj: helhaj@oxfam.org.uk 16 April 2004 INDIA: CHILDREN CAST VOTES IN MASSIVE BALLOT BOXES When people across India will be choosing their leaders during elections, children will "cast their votes" for education in massive ballot boxes. 200 out-of-school children, drawn from ten different states, will express their concerns on education issues in a 'children's consultation' - their 'manifesto' will be then presented to the Government of India, potentially even the President. To parallel the children's discussion, an Education symposium is being held where academics and social activists are invited to discuss the education scenario. To engage the press, a human chain will be formed with colourful banners and street theatre. There will also be 'symbolic voting' where children will 'cast their votes' for education in huge ballot boxes. Many additional events will take place at a local level. For more information contact Jo Walker education@globalmarch.org View Photo's... 16 April 2004 NIGERIA: CHILDREN DEMAND ANSWERS FROM THEIR LEADERS Nigerian policy makers will have to be on their toes to respond to pertinent comments from children at a national lobby. This year's theme for the Global Week of Action has great relevance in Nigeria, as there are an estimated 7 million children who are out of school. Actionaid Nigeria, the Civil Society Action Coalition for Education for All (CSACEFA), the Federal Ministry of Education, UNESCO, UNICEF and other relevant education agencies have been working together. The most visual event will be the National Lobby; 50 children from different schools including disabled, nomadic, and rural schools, 50 out-of-school children and 20 parents of out of school children will be assembled. This group will form a panel and visit the National Assembly for roundtable discussion with Legislators and Policy Makers. The children themselves will take the lead and advocate for the education rights of their counterparts who are out of school, aiming to extract a government commitment on policy reform. Six year old Tobi says "it makes me very sad to see children of my age selling water on the street corners when I am being driven to school, does this mean that that they are not important and does the government not care about them?" Thirteen year old Amira says " I do not see why any Nigerian child should be left out of school, we are a nation rich with resources, government needs to spend more money on programmes for out of school children and less on the expensive cars they drive' Ten-year-old Ali says "I do not go to school, the nearest school to my village is four kilometres away and I would have to cross a major highway, my mother cannot accompany me because she is busy tending to the younger ones. Why is there no school near my village?" For more information contact Justice Egware: csacefa@hotmail.com 16 April 2004 TANZANIA: CHILDREN BUSY PREPARING FOR ONE TO ONE WITH PRESIDENT Children 'missing an education' are planning to voice their views in an audience with president Benjamin William Mkapa, Others, having filled in missing out maps, and entered policy orientated essays for a TEN/MET competition, are preparing a speech to the National Assembly during Budget preparation. Awareness on the national level in Tanzania will promote community events. Children are the main focus, and a number of schools are taking part in writing missing out maps and letters of solidarity. Instead of children visiting the politicians, politicians are visiting schools. Participation is sustained as the children's voices will be heard on a national level, through essays written on 'peers who are missing their education', which will be gathered in a competition and used for TEN/MET advocacy activities, in particular for a position paper which is to be used as a lobbying tool following the events. Furthermore, children who do not have an education are voicing their views in an audience with the president, Benjamin William Mkapa. Eighteen children, who do not have access to education, will attend. Stephen Maina of TEN/MET says 'it is a real opportunity for children of that age to come face to face with the president, they are really excited'. These children have unlimited time to talk to the president. This is important because although education is essentially free in Tanzania, approximately 3.5 million children do not attend school. This is partly due to economic reasons, as textbook and uniform costs often make attendance prohibitive. There are also social and cultural factors. For example, girls are often required to stay at home, either to look after younger siblings, or for marriage - girls are known to marry at the age of eleven. In addition, HIV orphans suffer stigma and many children are mobile, and find it difficult to find a permanent place for schooling. A further thirty children have two hours to address the national assembly during the budget preparation. For more information contact Stephen Maina: tenmet@africaonline.com 16 April 2004 UGANDA: RADIO CHAT SHOWS TO RAISE AWARENESS OF COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES While communities host football matches dedicated to education; and children fill in missing out maps, welcome back politicians and hold open days - national radio stations will be spreading the message of education to a wider audience with chat shows and panel discussions. A plethora of activities are taking place in Uganda. A large number of NGOs, along with the Teachers' Union, under their umbrella network; Forum for Education NGOs in Uganda (FENU), are involved in utilising a variety of media to promote events. Radio Simba will lead the way with a chat show about education. Joshua Kyalimpa will be hosting panellists from the Uganda National Teachers' Union, the National Effort to spread Career and Academic Awareness, and the FENU secretariat. Other talk shows on Radio one, Masindi and Home Radio will follow throughout the week. All aim to promote the issue of children 'missing out' on education. A press conference in Kampala will be followed by an open day at Kibuye Primary School, which will catch the artistic and imaginative eye of press photographers. About 20 districts will hold various events - including children marching for education, compiling missing out maps and politicians and cultural leaders visiting schools. Districts leaders are looking forward to using the occasion to mobilise their communities for education, while communities hope to emphasise the plight of children missing out on education to their leaders. Of course, as to draw attention to any issue it is wise to hold a football match near exhibitions so that the crowd gathers. Matches are taking place in Mbarara, Bushenyi, Soroti, Kaberamaido and Wakiso districts. For more information contact John Musoke: fenu@africaonline.co.ug 16 April 2004 GERMANY: GERHARD SCHRODER TO BE BOMBARDED WITH E-CARDS Not only will the German Chancellor be flooded with e-cards demanding that more is done to provide every child with a quality basic education, other politicians will be sent back in time as they go back to school for the day next week. Over 3000 school children in Germany eagerly await GCE action week 2004. Participants will be sending E-cards to the Chancellor Gerhard Schröder, asking him to do more to provide every child with a quality basic education. The E-Card is accessible through the homepages of the German GCE organisations and provides extra space for the students to add personal messages to the German head of Government. Many of the participating schools in Germany (48 in total) have invited local as well as national politicians and members of parliament back to school for the day. The school children will present to outcomes of various classroom activities and discuss "education for all" with their elected officials. Each school is initiating other activities; Students in Standard 7 in the Gymnasium Eppendorf in Hamburg are drawing posters and interviewing people in the streets about education. Their teacher, Andreas Greverath says, "The activities raise awareness for the fact that we live in one world. In times when the topic of development co-operation does not sell very well, I consider it very important to bring the situation of people in developing countries back to the public mind". For more information contact Yvonne Ruf: info1@oxfam.de 16 April 2004 PAKISTAN: EXCITING DEVELOPMENTS IN THE COALITION ARE SUPPORTED BY THE EDUCATION MINISTER There is potential for a strong new coalition in Pakistan and it is likely that this will be supported by the Ministry of Education since the minister Zobaida Jalal has pledged support to Global Action Week. The CEF brought stakeholders together in January to discuss plans for Action week, and regional committees were set up to organise events on a local level. The steering committee was made up of ActionAid, CEF, Godh, LAW, Nirali Kitaben, Oxfam, PEF, Save the Children, SPARC and SPO. UNICEF and UNESCO are also on board to help circulate materials, and groups have decided to remake versions of the poster with Pakistani children on the print, to create a greater degree of ownership. The two exciting breakthroughs are that first, the groups are keen to form a stronger coalition after the week, and second, Education Minister Zobaida Jalal is enthusiastic about supporting lobbying activity. She has pledged to try and arrange for the president and prime minister to play a part in the events. For more information contact Tracey Wagner-Rizvi: gaw_pak@yahoo.com 16 April 2004 |
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