2011-11-14
International Education Week gives us an opportunity to recognize how important quality education is so that people can reach their full potential.
As the Minister of International Cooperation, I have seen why every child deserves a good education. Without the basic skills of literacy and numeracy children, particularly those living in poverty are among the most disadvantaged and vulnerable. They face the threat of victimisation, recruitment in militia and slavery.
Education is a basic need that every child needs to flourish and grow into fully contributing members of society.
Today's generation of children and youth is the largest ever in history. People under 25 years old, make up 43 percent of the world's population, but that percentage reaches 60 percent in the least-developed countries. In many areas, a basic education is not even an option: there are 67 million children out-of-school today - 36 million are girls. Giving them access to schools or other learning opportunities can give them hope for a better future.
Canada supports meaningful initiatives and programs to ensure all children, particularly girls, have access to and receive a quality education.
Beverley J. Oda
Minister of International Cooperation
