Worldwide, 258.4 million children, adolescents and young people [1] are not in school and 773 million adults [2] (including 63% [3] women) are illiterate. However, the immediate, medium and long-term consequences on human development are both catastrophic and proven. Access to quality education for all and at all stages of life (from early childhood to adulthood, including primary and secondary education, vocational training for young people, schooling for girls and literacy for women) is our fight.
Education is a target. All over the world, schools, universities, teachers and pupils are regularly targeted by attacks and violence perpetrated by extremist movements and terrorist groups, advocating communitarianism and obscurantism. Because it helps children and young people to better understand the society in which they live in order to better evolve and find their place in it, now and in the future; because it teaches non-violence, living together and tolerance; because it opens up horizons and fights against ignorance; because it makes people aware of their rights, trains critical thinking and the enlightened citizens of tomorrow; because it works for a world of Peace, Education is our fight.
The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated the pre-existing global crisis in education and learning. The global impact of COVID-19 on access and the right to education is absolutely devastating. In our areas of intervention, we are adapting our activities, carrying out new ones and thus responding to the needs generated.
Education is in crisis. However, the announcements and even promises made by many world political leaders in favour of measures to be taken and funding to be allocated to this sector have still not been followed up. Aide et Action warns: " Urgent and massive measures and investments are more than ever crucial to put in place, as soon as possible, an efficient and inclusive education system, capable of welcoming all and ensuring them the minimum of 12 years of free and quality education, indispensable to their future and, consequently, to that of the world after. Access to quality education for all, for the most vulnerable and marginalised, and especially for girls, is more than ever a priority. In view of the current challenges facing societies and humanity, education is more than ever an emergency, and defending it concerns us all! "Charles-Emmanuel BALLANGER, International Director General of Aide et Action.
[1] UNESCO & UNICEF 2019
[2] UNESCO 2019
[3] UNESCO 2019
