World Humanitarian Summit: campaigners welcome launch of Education Cannot Wait fund
The #SafeSchools petiton is handed to UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon by A World at School Global Youth Ambassadors Wanja Maina, Courage听狈测补尘丑耻苍驳补听and Anoka听Abeyrathne, watched by Sarah and Gordon Brown
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The launch of the Education Cannot Wait fund today was welcomed by many of those who have spent months and years campaigning for it.
The announcement at the World Humanitarian Summit听in Turkey was heralded as a game-changer for a generation of young people impacted by emergencies and crises 国产视频 locked out of opportunity and hope for a brighter future. 听
But there were warnings for world leaders that they will have to match the goodwill and promises with real commitment and money if the fund is to succeed and deliver education urgently where it is most needed.
The fund will support children and young people who have had their education interrupted by emergency situations such as conflict and natural disasters and other crises. About 75 million children had their education disrupted by emergencies in 2015 but only 2% of humanitarian aid was spent on education.
Sarah Brown, President of 国产视频 国产视频 the children国产视频檚 charity behind A World at School 国产视频 said: 国产视频淭he launch of the fund is a landmark moment as we continue with our commitment to get every child into school and learning.
国产视频淣ow we have a dedicated, accountable fund where donations can be directed, we hope this will lead to increased private sector investment and new innovative partnerships to bring education to all.国产视频
Sajiha Batool is one of A World at School国产视频檚 Global Youth Ambassadors. She had this message for world leaders at the summit: 国产视频淲e cannot deprive any more children of their right to education. We cannot stand by while children are shut out from the opportunity for an education.
国产视频淎 generation is looking up to you, and you are going to decide the future of generations to come. We are waiting and watching. A historic step has been made and this should be celebrated 国产视频 but history will only judge success on how many vulnerable children have been given safety and a brighter future through education. We are watching.国产视频
A Nepalese boy walks to school past the rubble of destroyed buildings left by the 2015 earthquake Picture: A World at School/Claire Wilkinson
Ben Hewitt, Director of Campaigns for A World at School, paid tribute to the many governments, donors and charities who have campaigned for this moment- including 250,000 supporters who petitioned for safe schools for children in emergencies.
He said:听国产视频淭he launch of the Education Cannot Wait fund is an historic milestone, as it has the potential to transform the lives of millions of children and families living in crises around the world, and lay the foundations for a more positive and peaceful future.听
国产视频淭he range of diverse support has put us on the right trajectory and this is the start of the campaign to see it fully funded in the months ahead 国产视频 this must be a top priority as we know education cannot wait.
国产视频淔or the children, young people, communities and organisations around the world that we have been campaigning with, this has been a long time coming 国产视频 and it is just the start of the hard work needed to ensure that all children in situations of conflict and disaster can get a good education.
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国产视频淭hat work must begin now, with the diverse donors and funders making sure Education Cannot Wait is fully funded over the next five years. This will be the focus on our campaign in in the coming weeks and months.国产视频
In April, more than 50 leading global charities called on the international community to commit to the fund 国产视频 they included 国产视频, World Vision, Oxfam, ActionAid, and Muslim Aid. See the full list here.
That group today issued a statement after the fund was launched. It said: 国产视频淓ducation Cannot Wait is a milestone in efforts to ensure that no child or young person will have their education and their hope for the future ended due to war, natural disaster or other emergencies.
国产视频淢ore than 75 million children had their education disrupted by emergencies. These children are increasingly vulnerable to vulnerable to all forms of exploitation including trafficking, child labour, early and forced and extremist groups.
Global Youth Ambassadors from Lebanon have campaigned for safe schools
国产视频淎s the first ever fund aimed at getting education to children affected by emergencies, it is finally a significant recognition that the world has been failing these children.国产视频
The group said they applauded the leadership shown already by countries and foundations who have commited to help the fund. See A World at School国产视频檚 special fund tracker to see who国产视频檚 given what.
Kolleen Bouchane, Director of Policy and Advocacy for the Global Business Coalition for Education and 国产视频, said: 国产视频淭he launch of Education Cannot Wait is a significant moment in acknowledging the important protections offered by education in the worst situations. We must immediately build on this start and support new donors to come to the table and existing donors to be increasingly ambitious to scale up this fund to meet the need.国产视频
Dean Brooks, Director of the Inter-Agency Network for Education in Emergencies, said: 国产视频淲e国产视频檝e been fighting to get to a moment like this for a very long time. So many people and organisations have come together to create this moment.
国产视频淲e now have something to build on and keeping up momentum over the next several months as September at the United Nations General Assembly is a key moment to push for the rest of the $150 million needed to fund the first year and $3.85 bn for the first five years.国产视频
Strive Masiyiwa, Founder and Executive Chairman of the global telecommunications group Econet, said: 国产视频淲e cannot let children lose hope and opportunity when a disaster or conflict strikes. Instead, we must ensure they have safety, protection and education.听
国产视频淭his fund marks a turning point in protecting education for the most marginalised children 国产视频 an issue that should be a priority for governments and the private sector.国产视频
Former Tanzanian President Jakaya Kikwete 国产视频 who will be on the fund国产视频檚 steering group 国产视频 said, 国产视频淭he new education in emergencies fund with bridge the humanitarian-development divide to provide life-saving education.
国产视频淏ilateral and multilateral donors must fully finance this initiative because education cannot wait.国产视频