Pakistan
youth activists challenge world leaders over stalled progress on education for
all and attacks on schools
Youth
leaders from more than 85 countries including [add your country] will hold a
rally in New York today to launch the #UpForSchool movement and petition. The
rally will be attended by United Nations Special Envoy for Global Education
Gordon Brown, Graça Machel, Isha Sesay (CNN), Peter Vesterbacka (Angry Birds),
Ricken Patel (Avaaz), Hadiza Bela Usman (#BringBackOurGirls) and Ahmad
Alhendawi (United Nations Secretary-General's Envoy on Youth).
Today,
as world leaders gather for the 69th United Nations General Assembly, youth
leaders from more than 85 countries are gathering at the #UpForSchool Youth
Rally in New York.
Attending
the Rally from [your country] is [add the name of your youth ambassador
or your organisation]
They
will call for urgent action on behalf of 58 million children currently
excluded from school because they are child labourers, married too young, discriminated
against, exploited or living in war-torn regions where their schools are under
attack.
To
drive action over the next 500 days, young leaders are launching a global call
to action – the #UpForSchool petition – to demonstrate the unprecedented public
support for education. The petition is backed by a coalition of more than 100
businesses, faith leaders, NGOs, teachers and influential individuals.
United
Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon is backing the campaign saying “I
am #UpForSchool. Over the past year from Nigeria to Pakistan we have seen
education come under attack. Moreover so many millions are not getting the
schooling they need for the best possible start in life. I’m very encouraged
that young people across the world have launched the #UpForSchool campaign. You
can count on my support”.
United
Nations Special Envoy for Global Education Gordon Brown will address the
youth rally and say: “Progress on getting children into school has stalled, aid
to education is in rapid decline and 58 million children are being denied their
right to an education. In the face of this crisis young people are connecting
together, mobilising and demanding action from their leaders.”
[add
a quote from you or your organisation saying why education is important to you]
Peter
Vesterbacka (Rovio
and Angry Birds) says: “Things have changed. Young people are able to connect
with each other like never before. They are mobilising and saying that an
attack on one school is an attack on all schools. There is a powerful movement
emerging and it is being supported by creative and innovate businesses and
individuals”.
Isha
Sesay (CNN)
says: “We have seen powerful movements emerge after attacks on schools and
school children in specific countries. We are now seeing young people link
these together and seeing this as an attack on all children.”
Chernor
Bah,
co-founder of A World at School and youth activist, is leading the young people
in their campaign. He says: “Around the world, from Pakistan to Nigeria, Syria
to Gaza, we’re starting to connect. To rise up and demand action. Education is
our right, no matter who we are or where we’re born. And no child in the world
should be denied it.”
Campaigner
and A World at School co-founder Sarah Brown says: “Education saves
lives. Those with at least a basic education, earn more, they and their
children are healthier and have the opportunity to contribute meaningfully to
the stability of their communities and growth of their economies. We have an
urgent deadline between now and the end of 2015 to bring about real change.
Leaders must keep their promise and respond urgently with the financial
investments and political commitments needed to get every child in to school.”
Hadiza Bela Usan, Bring Back Our
Girls leader in Nigeria, is coming to New York for the rally and will say:
“Youth from around the world, whether it is Pakistan, Nigeria or Gaza, are
coming together and sending the world a message. Together we can create a
movement no government, politicians or leader can ignore. It is time to rise up
for education”.
Ahmad
Alhendawi, United
Nations Secretary-General's Envoy on Youth says "Young leaders from more
than 85 countries are launching a global call to action - the #UpForSchool
petition. We must do everything we can to support these young people as they
mobilise together around the world. Join us. Stand #UpForSchool"
ABOUT
THE #UPFORSCHOOL PETITION
Despite
promises made by world leaders in 2000 to have every child in school by the end
of 2015, 58 million are still being denied their right to education - and
schools and school children are being attacked.
To
drive action over the next 500 days, young leaders have created a global call
to action – the #UpForSchool Petition – to demonstrate unprecedented public
support for education. It will be delivered to world leaders at the UN General
Assembly in September 2015.
ABOUT
THE #UPFORSCHOOL RALLY
The
youth rally will be held at 4.30pm on Monday, September 22, at New York
University’s Kimmel Center, 60 Washington Square S, New York City, NY 10012. It
will be followed by a public rally at 6pm in Washington Square Park.
The
#UpForSchool rally is co-hosted by A World at School and the Office of the
United Nations Special Envoy for Global Education, in collaboration with the
Office of the United Nations Secretary-General's Envoy on Youth. The recipients
of the United Nations Special Envoy for Global Education’s Youth Courage Awards
will be announced at this event.
WHO
WILL BE AT THE #UPFORSCHOOL RALLY?
·
Gordon Brown, United Nations Special Envoy for Global Education
·
Peter Vesterbacka, Mighty Eagle, Rovio
·
Graça Machel, International advocate
·
Hadiza Bela Usan, Bring Back Our Girls leader
·
Ricken Patel, Founder, Avaaz
·
Sarah Brown, co-founder, A World at School
·
Isha Sesay, CNN
·
Ahmad Alhendawi, United Nations Secretary-General’s Envoy on Youth
·
Chernor Bah, co-founder and youth leader, A World at School
·
Special message from actor and advocate Rainn Wilson
·
Special message from United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon
SOCIAL
MEDIA MATERIAL AVAILABLE
·
New #UpForSchool Petition film launched 22/9
·
#UpForSchool banners and images
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