English - Global Campaign for Education

CANADA
After weeks of learning about the Right to Education,
children presented what they had learnt and researched
at an event attended by the President of Education
International Africa Region, and General Secretary of
Ghana’s Teachers Union, Irene Adanusa. Irene spoke
about the state of education in Ghana and watched as
the students unravelled a long paper chain of messages
demanding education. After Action Week campaigners
collected up their paper chains and sent them to the
Prime Minister reminding him of his promises before
the G8. The chains were also sent to members of
parliament.
“To me, it’s very important for children to
have an education. I want their dreams to
come true. I want them to have a future! I hope
the people from richer countries feel the same
way and do something about it!”
Laily Popal, Canada
“If you don’t have an education, it will be even
harder to be what you want to be, and do what
you want to do.”
Simon Mertick, Canada
“You have the power to change a child’s life, so
do it!”
Adele Keyes, Canada
CHILE
The Right to Education was discussed by pupils across
the country. Inspired, children debated and presented
their conclusive reports to the regional authorities in
public ceremonies. They also logged onto Chile’s own
special JOIN UP web chain at
www.opcion.cl/educacion.
A huge banner was then hung outside the government
buildings with the number of people who’d Joined Up
on line and demanded education rights.
The week’s highlight was when the Education Minister,
Yasna Provoste Campillay, met pupils in Santiago to
hear about what they had found out and what they
wanted from the government.
COLOMBIA
A special forum was held between children, young
people and the Senate and Senators from the
Education Commission. Included in those attended
was Leon Brillith Serrano Mallely, who later travelled to
Washington and Brussels to present her wishes of free
education for everyone to donor officials. The forum
ended with a huge long human chain being formed in
front of the National Capital Building.
Americas
COSTA RICA
A debate was held on exclusion in education entitled
‘Students of Secondary Education have the Word’. Student
committees gathered at the event commented on the
impact of the education crisis in Costa Rica and what
should be done about it.
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
Action Week was launched by Rosa María Torres in the
capital Santo Domingo at a conference on the Right to
Education. Another forum to promote adult education
which was attended by the State Secretary of Education
was held under the theme ‘The Right to Education:
Literacy and Access to Written Culture’.
The youth were not left out and a special meeting
on inclusive education was held to reflect on the
situation of the youth who live on the frontiers between
countries. It was an important moment in which young
people expressed their views on development and
education policies in the country.
JOIN UP - Education Rights Now!
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