“Today, there are approximately 774 million adults who lack basic literacy skills and more than 72 million children who are out of school. This week the world recognizes Education for All week to draw attention to the need for education as a means to reduce poverty and provide economic opportunities for children, youth and adults. While we are making progress in providing access to primary education, we must also ensure that individuals have access to a quality education. Education for All week increases the world’s awareness of the importance of education and how it is essential to improve the lives of people of all ages around the world.” Louise V. Oliver, United States Ambassador and Permanent Delegate to UNESCO
This year’s Global Action Week, celebrated from April 21-27, focuses on quality education to end exclusion.
The United States is working to help UNESCO achieve measurable results toward the goals of Education for All and the UN Literacy Decade, and our work with UNESCO’s Education Sector is one of our top priorities.
The U.S. Mission participated actively in the UNESCO Education For All (EFA) High Level Group meeting in Dakar, Senegal from December 11-13, 2007, with a Delegation led by U.S. Ambassador to UNESCO Louise V. Oliver that included two senior officials from USAID.
First Lady Laura Bush is the Honorary Ambassador for the United Nations Literacy Decade. As Honorary Ambassador, Mrs. Bush leads America’s efforts to bring education to people worldwide, especially to women and girls.
We also work with the Education Sector and other member states on issues such as family literacy and basic education; post-conflict education reconstruction; teacher training; and HIV/AIDS education.
The United States strongly supports UNESCO’s goal of ensuring every child has access to a quality education by 2015.
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