Submitted by crinadmin on
Summary: 3000 politicians have gone 'Back to School'
across the world - Presidents, Prime Ministers
and Education Ministers have been presented
with cut-out 'friends' and have heard demands
in dozens of countries - an estimated
100,000 'friends' have already been made.
ACCORDING TO LATEST ESTIMATES, 3000 politicians have gone Back to
School already, while over 100,000 friends have been made, and hundreds
of thousands of children and young people have already joined the Send
my Friend to School campaign, organised by the Global Campaign for
Education - with more events planned over the next few days. Young
people have been able to deliver their 'friends' and meet to discuss their
demands for more and better education in high places, including the
Presidents and Prime Ministers of eight countries (Benin, Ethiopia, Ghana,
Senegal, Peru, Niger, Ivory Coast, Democratic Republic of Congo) and by
thousands of parliamentarians in over 100 countries.
Democratic Republic of Congo - Vice President launches Action Week and
President of the Assembly listens to children's views
The Vice President of DRC launched the Global Action Week on April 25,
when he met with the campaign organisers to discuss the campaign and
state of education in DRC (view pictures of the event). A massive national
event took place on April 26, where 750 children presented their views in
front of the President of the Republic, and the National Assembly.
Throughout the week politicians have been going 'Back to School'. The
Minister of Primary, Secondary and Professional Teaching, the Minster of
Women and Family, as well as the Minster of Youth and Sports have all
gone 'back to school' - as well as many more local politicians.
Senegal - Artists, children and local politicians join together to deliver their
message to the President of the Republic
Tomorrow, on April 29, hundreds of children are expected to join with local
politicians to give a message to the President of the Republic. Senegalese
artists, including Youssou Ndour and Baba Maal ambassadors for UNICEF
and UNDP, respectively, will launch messages during the national
demonstration.
Egypt - Egyptian children have made 10,000 'friends'
The Deputy Minister of Education and other celebrities went Back to School
to see a 'girl-friendly' school and to learn lessons on how all schools in
Egypt can be more accessible and encouraging for girls. 430 schools from
around the country have participated in this event, creating over
10,000 'friends' in total.
Vietnam - 600 out-of-school children ask representatives of the Ministry of
Education to Send ME to School
On Saturday April 23, in Hanoi, over 600 children, including street and
working children and children with disabilities participated in a large event
at the Children's Palace. The out-of-school children asked those present
to "send me to school. Representatives from the Ministry of Education and
Training and Ministry of Justice were present.
Later in the day, 600 street- or working-children with cut-out 'friends' took
part in a demonstration in Hanoi.
Malawi - Deputy Minister presented with messages from young people.
The Deputy Minister of Education was presented Send my Friend to School
messages by school going children. The children requested the Deputy
Minister of education to present the messages to the President. School
children have been writing messages about their 'friends', in an act of
solidarity with all children missing out on education, the messages, with
the names of children to be sent back to were displayed on walls and trees
where every one had a chance to read them.
A march with the children involved in the national event was also held on
the same day. View pictures of the Malawi events
Nigeria - Activities kicked off in Nigeria with the Minister for Education
receiving 'friends' from children and addressing the press
The Minister of Education started the Action Week in Nigeria by addressing
the press Nigerian Governments' road map to achieving EFA and the MDGs -
the press conference was held as a result of successful lobbying by civil
society for increased transparency by the Government in its plans to
eliminate poverty and achieve the MDGs.
On April 25 over 500 children sent their 'friends' to the Minister of
Education, Minister of Finance and Minister of Women's Affairs and Youth
Development. This was mirrored by similar events across the regions of
Nigeria.
UNESCO Headquarters Paris - 25 artists exhibit their 'friends' for Action
Week
Twenty-four artists, from diverse origins, have participated in a Send my
Friend to School exhibition, making 'friends' and decorating them with
education slogans. The exhibition opened at UNESCO headquarters on 25
April. UNESCO Director-General Koïchiro Matsuura inaugurated the
exhibition, in the presence of Senegalese artist Ousmane Sow , patron of
the exhibition.
Gambia -Minister of Education expected to make a pledge during a national
event
The Action Week was started in the Gambia with Prayers in all Mosques
and Churches across the country. Throughout the week regional pledge
events have been taking place. During the events children are presenting
their 'friends' to politicians and asking them to sign a pledge - in the
Gambia children have been making unique puppet 'friends', using brooms
and other materials.
The will end a National Pledge Event, during which the Minister of
Education is expected to sign a pledge and send the information to the
head of state.
Haiti - Groups question political parties stand on education during the
election period
Children excluded from education and academics have been using the
election period in Haiti to question the leaders of political parties on their
election pledges for education - ensuring that education has become a
clear electoral issue.