Forward
Education unlocks the potential of young minds, and helps new generations realise their dreams for the future. However, we are facing a global education crisis. Millions of children are out of school, or in school but not learning. We must put education at the top of the agenda.
Norway has played a key role in pushing the international community to take decisive action to address the learning crisis, politically and financially. We are a strong supporter of the Sustainable Development Goals and we were instrumental in initiating the Education Commission.
We cannot effectively address the global learning gap without sufficient funding. We have therefore substantially increased Norway’s financial contribution to education. In the period 2013-2016, international development assistance from Norway helped to provide education for five times as many girls and boys as there are students in Norwegian primary education.
Half of these boys and girls live in fragile and conflict-affected countries. Investing in girls’ education is one of the best investments that can be made in sustainable, equitable communities. Education helps protect girls from abuse and enables women to contribute fully to society and to economic growth. The time has come for the global community to work together and provide real learning opportunities for every girl and boy.
Quality education is essential for eradicating poverty.
ERNA SOLBERG
Prime Minister of Norway
Children pay the highest price in wars. Armed conflict is a major obstacle to education: not only because of the violence and destruction it involves, but also because it reinforces barriers to education such as poverty and discrimination. Norway has taken on a leading role in mobilizing support for education for all, in accordance with the SDGs.
Today, only a handful of countries include education aid in their humanitarian policy. Between 2013 and 2016, Norway increased the share of humanitarian funding to education from two to nine per cent, exceeding the UN target of four per cent. Norway also played a key role in establishing the Education Cannot Wait fund in order to meet the education needs of children and young people affected by emergencies. Furthermore, to protect schools, students and teachers in armed conflicts, we have supported the Safe Schools Declaration, which has so far been endorsed by 66 countries.
Importantly, we are also increasing the focus on the transition from school to employment – because ensuring education and employment opportunities for young people is the key to stability and economic growth.
Norway will continue to advocate quality education for the world’s most marginalized children. We have taken many steps in the right direction, but there is still a long way to go.
BØRGE BRENDE
Norwegian Minister of Foreign Affair