Live blog: how we can help to #WriteTheWrong on education and youth skills
Barriers to education, Education funding, Right to education, The Global Business Coalition for Education (GBC-Education), United Nations General Assembly
Leaders from business, philanthropy, international institutions, government and civil society are at this Global Business Coalition for Education event.
Hundreds of millions of young people face a bleak future – unless we act urgently. Change is happening at such a furious pace that many of today国产视频檚 generation will be left without the skills needed for the workforce of tomorrow.
The Fourth Industrial Revolution means dramatic advances in such fields as robotics and artificial intelligence. But it also means half of the world国产视频檚 youth – over 800 million of them – could lack meaningful and quality employment by the year 2030.
How to avoid that gloom-laden scenario is the theme of a major event today hosted by the聽Global Business Coalition for Education.听
Titled Action Plan 2030: Time to #WriteTheWrong, it will bring together more than 100 high-level representatives from business, philanthropy, international institutions, government and civil society, including young people themselves. They are all in New York this week for the United Nations General Assembly.
Their task at this event is to identify tangible actions, innovations and new ways of working that can create systemic change and unlock the potential of young people.
This live blog will bring you coverage of the event, which starts at 7am. Times given are New York times (EST).
The breakfast event during UN General Assembly week is an annual gathering that draws some of the biggest names from UN agencies, global companies and other leading organisations.
6am: The Global Business Coalition for Education (GBC-Education) is a group of more than 100 businesses that believe the private sector has a vital role to play in increasing the number of children and youth who are in school and learning.听
It believes education is the birthright of every child, the key to expanded opportunity, future employment and the cornerstone of greater economic development and social prosperity.
Last week GBC-Education国产视频檚 Youth Skills and Innovation Initiative released a report聽that focused on how the business community can contribute to developing and growing the workforce of the future.
Today国产视频檚 Action Plan 2030 event will feature contributions from eminent speakers, followed by guests swapping ideas and opinions to come up with some concrete proposals.
7am – We start with a welcome from David Boutcher, Partner at the global law Reed Smith, which is hosting this event at its Lexington Avenue offices. He says:聽国产视频淲e国产视频檙e here to address the challenge we all care about – unleashing the potential of the next generation of young people through free, quality and inclusive education.国产视频
Our opening remarks come from Sarah Brown, Executive Chair of GBC-Education and President of 国产视频, who talks about a significant year for education funding.
Sarah introduces the #WriteTheWrong campaign – which highlights the fact that over 260 million children and youth are out of school around the world. The causes are widespread – from poverty and conflict to child labour, early marriage and discrimination against girls. Learn more about why children are out of school.
She thanks the global marketing company Omnicom and advertising agency BBDO – who are working with 国产视频 as part of the UN Common Ground Initiative – for making a powerful video for the #WriteTheWrong campaign.
Watch the #WriteTheWrong film
Sarah talks about an in-depth report that reveals 1.8 billion young people are at risk of missing out on jobs of the future unless the global business community shows leadership and comes up with new solutions. The report – about preparing tomorrow’s workforce when change is happening so rapidly – was published by GBC-Education and Deloitte Global. Learn more about the report here.
She also reveals that 国产视频 has produced a Safe Schools report, which examines the extent of attacks on education.
7.10am – Sarah introduces Jamira Burley, Head of Youth Engagement and Skills at GBC-Education.
She explains the format of the event. With a host of government ministers, chief executives, UN agency heads and NGO leaders in the room, the idea is to tap into the knowledge, ideas and passion for change.
Jamira says: 国产视频淲e want to utilise this opportunity to pick your brains and do a mini consultation. How do we take the next steps to the actions to communities around the world?”
Before that we国产视频檒l hear from inspiring figures to address the 2030 challenge and the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
They are:
- John Fallon, CEO of Pearson
- Audrey Azoulay, Director-General of UNESCO
- Henrietta Fore, Executive Director of UNICEF
- Tariq Al Gurg, CEO of Dubai Cares
John Fallon says: 国产视频淭here are lots of headlines about how the robots are going to take over our jobs. But I think we have very reason to be optimistic about the opportunities technology gives us to open up education for people around the world.
国产视频淭his is a generation that is hugely comfortable with mobile technology, that very much wants to see education linked directly to employment. We need to focus on the things that make us most human.国产视频
Audrey Azoulay tells how she was in Argentina for the first ever G20 education ministers国产视频 meeting, where it was agreed to build solid links between education and employment.听
She says: 国产视频淎t this time of uncertainty we have to learn how to learn – to give children the possibility to adapt. We need to bridge the gap between school and the labour market.国产视频
国产视频淲e need a strong emphasis on gender … if we want women to participate in the world of tomorrow, the world of technology.
国产视频淲e need to build alliances, partnerships and invest in the long term.国产视频
"When responding to crisis and conflict, we must ensure that education comes first." @AAzoulay reminds us that in times of crisis, #EducationCannotWait. #SDG4 #WriteTheWrong pic.twitter.com/D7Fw3AccdE
— 国产视频 (@theirworld) September 26, 2018
Henrietta Fore says: 国产视频淭his coalition really makes a difference – it is your way into countries and non-profits and the United Nations.”
She tells how UNICEF has just launched a new initiative on secondary education.
She adds: “Our mission is to try to get every young person in school, learning, training or age-appropriate employment by 2030.”聽
Tariq Al Gurg聽says: 国产视频淚f we are really serious about opening a chapter to support youth, we need to get it right from the beginning.
国产视频淭hat would require a mindset shift, systemic change and to focus on three main areas – strengthen collaborative efforts, take things to scale and leverage technology, and involve the private sector in the equation.国产视频
7.30am – We国产视频檝e been talking a lot about the future of young people. Now we hear from them – in the shape of one of the Global Youth Ambassadors for 国产视频. Gideon Olanrewaju has come from Nigeria to take part in several events in New York this week around education and youth skills issues.
Gideon says: 国产视频淢y peers are the youth generation – and my friends are the ones who are facing an uncertain future and lack of investment in skills.
国产视频淪o we would like you to discuss the following question…
国产视频淯nited in our belief that next-generation thinking and next-generation partnerships are required to achieve the 2030 global goals for education, what tangible actions, innovations and new ways of working can create disruptive, systemic change and unlock the potential of young people in the wake of the Fourth Industrial Revolution?国产视频
Gideon, @theirworld Global Youth Ambassador, represents the youth voice at the Annual @GBCEducation #UNGA Breakfast. He called on delegates to remember that his peers are the youth generation and are facing an uncertain future and lack of investment in skills. @LanreShaper pic.twitter.com/JE9RCvbAW7
— Their News (@theirnews) September 26, 2018
The guests at each table will discuss their ideas and come back with some exciting ideas and actions.
While they国产视频檙e doing that, here are some of the findings from the Youth Skills and Innovation Initiative report. It carried out research into what skills will be required for youth to succeed.
Four skills that emerged are:
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Workforce readiness. Basic skills such as time management, personal presentation and attendance are critical to entering the workforce.
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Soft skills. As humans increasingly work alongside robots, uniquely human skills – such as creativity, complex problem solving, emotional intelligence and critical thinking – will be irreplaceable by machines.
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Technical skills. New employment opportunities are being created through technology. Jobs that are currently going unfilled often require industry-specific technical skills and targeted training.
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Entrepreneurship. As the gig economy grows, youths’ ability to be innovative, creative and take initiative to launch new ventures will serve them well.
Denmark国产视频檚 Minister for Development and Cooperation @Ulla_Tornaes announces that the Danish government will contribute $185 million to @GPforEducation, $46 million to @EduCannotWait and $17 million to @UNICEF education programmes. pic.twitter.com/ukU9o51LuF
— Their News (@theirnews) September 26, 2018
7.50am聽– Here we go again – with a speaker selected from each table to report back with their actions to advance education and skills for young people.
Denmark国产视频檚 Minister for Development and Cooperation聽Ulla Tornaes聽says: 国产视频淚 am very happy to announce the Danish government will contribute $185 million to the Global Partnership for Education, $46 million to Education Cannot Wait and $17 million to UNICEF education programmes.
“I would like to have a strong focus on girls国产视频 education, particularly in crisis situations.国产视频
It's necessary for governments throughout the world to invest in education and support the most vulnerable populations #WriteTheWrong #UNGA pic.twitter.com/WE6N5IeJTg
— Global Business Coalition for Education (@gbceducation) September 26, 2018
David Barnes, Global Managing Partner of Public Policy at Deloitte Global, says the key is partnership and coalitions. He says Deloitte is committed to working with governments around the world.
Nate Hurst, Chief Sustainability and Social Impact Officer at HP, says his company has pledged to back 120 million learning outcomes by 2025. He adds: 国产视频淲e have a new partnership with UNICEF, working as part of the emergency response in Lebanon, setting up nine second-shift schools and reaching 4000 refugee and Lebanese children.国产视频
国产视频淓CW has invested in 17 crisis-affected countries and will be reaching 1 million children & youth with quality education by the end of the year国产视频 @YasmineSherif1 speaking to business leaders @gbceducation #UNGA event.#WriteTheWrong #InvestInHumanity#LeaveNoGirlBehind pic.twitter.com/qa3eMmP5yb
— Education Cannot Wait (@EduCannotWait) September 26, 2018
Yasmine Sherif is Director of Education Cannot Wait, the fund to provide education in emergencies such as conflicts and natural disasters that was established after campaigning by 国产视频 and GBC-Education.听
She says: 国产视频淓CW started with a commitment from 国产视频 and GBC-Education – and almost one million children in 17 crisis and conflict countries have been reached with quality education.国产视频
She announced the winners of Education Cannot Wait国产视频檚 Resources Mobilisation Challenge.
Pierre Krahenbuhl is Commissioner General of UNRWA, the UN agency that provides education for 525,000 Palestinian children and other services. A funding crisis means the future of UNRWA国产视频檚 711 schools are under threat – so today he has brought along two students from UNRWA schools to speak on his behalf.
They are Aseel Sabooh, 15, from Lebanon and 14-year-old Ahmad Baker from Jordan. Both are members of the UNRWA agency-wide Student Parliament.
In a passionate speech, Ahmad says: 国产视频淲e have hopes and dreams just like all other children. Education is our hope and our horizon. Please help us protect our education.国产视频
Aseel says: 国产视频淲e want to contribute to solutions and a better world. Nothing is better to us than education. Please help us save our schools.国产视频
The students get a standing ovation from everyone in the room.
#UNRWA Student Parliamentarians addressing Global Business Coalition for Education. Thank you @GBCEducation @SarahBrownUK @GordonBrown @OfficeGSBrown pic.twitter.com/24eKsa3aWZ
— UNRWA (@UNRWA) September 27, 2018
8.05am: Daniella Foster, Senior Director, CSR, at Hilton Worldwide, says the company has committed to double its investment in countries where youth opportunities are lowest. Hilton partners with Making Cents to tap into supply chains across business.
She adds: 国产视频淭he potential on how you work together to make change happen is there.国产视频
Graham Peters is Managing Director of Avanti Government Solutions. He says: 国产视频淲e are working in partnership with DFID in schools across East Africa, using the internet as an enabler for education. We are looking to find partners about how we can work together to prove how sustainable internet can be used to support education initiatives.国产视频
Mary Snapp, President of Microsoft Philanthropies, said: 国产视频淥ur hope is that as we drive technology forward, we democratise it to benefit everyone to leave no one behind.国产视频
She says partnerships with UNICEF will ensure children and women can access content and curricula for education.
Next up is Shafqat Mahmood is Pakistan国产视频檚 Minister for Education and Professional Training. He says: 国产视频淎s a new government, I want to say that we are determined to get 25 million children into school.
国产视频淲e are looking for innovative ways to have public-private partnerships in the skills sector as well as in education.国产视频
"Advocates for the investors have to be responsible 国产视频 to ensure that the society is sustainable" We agree, Hiro Mizuno @gpiftweets #WriteTheWrong #UNGA pic.twitter.com/ehMhmJVaXx
— Global Business Coalition for Education (@gbceducation) September 26, 2018
Hiro Mizuno, Executive Managing Director of Japan国产视频檚 Government Pension Investment Fund talks about the importance of education investments.听
Matthew Rycroft is聽Permanent Secretary at the United Kingdom’s Department for International Development. He says: “It is a battle to make sure that every girl and every boy gets the education they deserve.” He says DFId is proud to be working on education wit three of the previous speakers – UNRWA, Avanti and the Pakistan education department.
Next to speak is economist聽Adeyemi Babington-Ashaye, who聽heads the World Economic Forum’s Global Shapers Community. He says the聽organisation will facilitate 50 interactions that will bring together stakeholders to explore the youth skills report, consider what it means locally and to take action.
8.25am聽– Jamira Burley is back to introduce聽Kristalina Georgieva, CEO of the World Bank.
Georgieva says: 国产视频淲hat we have done since we last met – we have ratcheted up finance for education. The only way for us is up, up, up.”
She also says the World Bank is backing the International Finance Facility for Education, which will unlock $10 billion of funding to help millions of children into school
“We have completed the financial health check of IFFEd. I can now say proudly that we stand behind it,” she says.
Georgieva rounds off the event by saying: 国产视频淭he new song for this community is (and she sings it!) This Is How Do It.国产视频
That gets a big laugh but also a huge round of applause for the inspirational message.
That国产视频檚 all from this fascinating and empowering event. Please check back in later to see more pictures.
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